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Happening
at the Crossroads
March 23,
2009
by Coggin
Heeringa
Children
(and no doubt, educators and staff) in area schools are counting the
hours until spring break. At Crossroads at Big Creek, we look forward
to spring break as well and at The Crossroads, it lasts
twice as long because vacation dates differ for different districts on
the peninsula, not to mention out-of-state schools attended by
grandchildren of Door County residents.
During the early
years of settlement in Door County, spring break tended to
be a rather extended vacation for older pupils, While younger
children attended their one room schools throughout the September
to May "school year", older pupils in agricultural areas were
excused from spring and fall terms so that they could help with the
planting and harvest.
In a case of blatant sexism, pioneer
schools boards often employed female teachers for spring
and fall terms, but would be willing to pay the premium salary
for a male teacher during the winter when the older boys would be in
school.
But in those days, being excused from school was
hardly a vacation. Pioneer youth worked hard. This time of year, as
snow melted in the woods and trails morphed from slick to mucky,
getting the logs to the banking grounds became urgent and
difficult. Often young people carried and spread water to the trails in
late afternoon, hoping the it would freeze during the night, making it
easier to skid out the logs the next day.
In Door
County, planting crops was possible only after rocks were picked,
removed from the fields on little sleds called stoneboats,
and piled between the fields as stone fences or in massive piles.
Besides
the spring tasks, just the ordinary chores kept young people busy from
dawn till sundown. No "vegging out" or spring trips for our ancestors.
If
your family is traveling elsewhere, have fun and be safe. But for
folks who will be in Door County during the next two weeks,
consider traveling into the past, exploring nature
or going "around the world in 80 telescopes."
Activities
featuring science, history and the environment will be offered for
learners of all ages.over spring break weeks. We start with Pluto Club
on Friday, March 27, a group for children 3-8 and their adult
companions. At this week, the group will learn about day and night and
the months of the year. The group is free and new members are welcome.
On
Tuesday, March 31, 1:00 families are invited to step back in history
with a lesson in butter making. Of course, participants will have
to taste the whipped cream, butter, and buttermilk. Weather permitting,
we will meet in the Warren House so participants should dress warmly.
On
April Fool's Day, families are invited to the Greene General Store to
learn about pioneer tools and gadgets. We'll play the What-cha-Ma-Call
It game, as kids try to guess the use of selected antiques. No
fooling.Free. Dress warmly.
April 2-5, like science
centers all over the world, Crossroads and the Door Peninsula
Astronomical Society will collaborate to present 100 Hours of
Astronomy. Family programs,viewing nights, hands on activities and
international webcasts will make this series of events develop a
personal sense of wonder and discovery. More details next week
Spring
break should be a time for adventure, join us at Crossroads for an
adventure in learning. Crossroads is a donor supported learning
preserve located at the Intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan in
Sturgeon Bay. The Collins Learning Center will be closed Saturday, Marc
28 for painting.
Friday, March 27, 3:30 Pluto Club
At
this week, children 3-8 and their adult companions will learn about day
and night and the months of the year. The group is free and new members
are welcome. Collins Learning Center. About 45 minutes.
Saturday, March 28, 11:00 Nature Hike to Big Creek
Big
Creek is "springing" into action and , fed by many small seeps, makes
its special spring music as it rushes to The Cove. About an hour. Wear
footwear that can get wet.
Tuesday, March 31, 1:00 Butter Making
Families
are invited to step into the past with a butter making demonstration.
Of course, participants will have to taste the whipped cream,
butter, and buttermilk. Meet in the Warren House in the Historical
Village at The Crossroads. Free. About an hour.
Wednesday, April 1, 11:00 Family History Program
Families are invited to the Greene General Store to learn about pioneer
tools
and gadgets. We'll play the What-cha-Ma-Call It game, as kids try to
guess the use of selected antiques. No fooling . Free. Dress warmly.
Thursday, April 2
One Hundred Hours of Astronomy
10:00 Kick off show in the Lecture Hall
Astronomy
Centers throughout the world are celebrating the 100 Hours of
Astronomy. A live webcast of the Opening Ceremonies will be screened in
the Lecture Hall of the Collins Learning Center. Free and open to the
public.
12:00 Brown Bag with Galileo
Bring
a brown bag meal and learn as you lunch. A live webcast will take you
on tours of museums which house the scientific equipment used by
Galileo, whose observations and writings 400 years ago are considered,
by many, to be the genesis of modern science. Crossroads will
provide beverages and dessert.
3:00 Family Program
Learn about the four inner planets of our solar system by making edible
(rice
krispie balls) models of the rocky planets. (Please call
746-5895 if food accommodations are required.) Intended for grade
school aged students. Free Collins Learning Center.
7:00 PM Astronomy at the Stonecipher AstronomyCenter
Clear
skies permitting, the Leif Everson Observation and StarGarden will be
open for night sky viewing. Inside the Stonecipher Astronomy
Center, webcasts from observatories throughout the world will be
screened.
Friday, April 3
9:00 -5:00 Webcasts of 100 Hours of Astronomy: "Around the World in 80Telescopes"
Screening of webcasts from observatories around the world.
11:00 Family Program: The Size of the Moon
Learn
about our nearest celestial neighbor. How big is it? How does its mass
compare to that of the Earth? Hands-on activities will help you learn
about our moon. Lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center
3:30 Pluto Club
Children
age 3-8 and their adult companions will learn about The Big Dipper and
other familiar asterisms and constellations. Hands-on activities.
Meet in the Lab of the Collins Learning Center.
7:00 PM Astronomy at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center
Clear
skies permitting, the Leif Everson Observation and StarGarden will be
open for night sky viewing. Inside the Stonecipher Astronomy
Center, webcasts from observatories throughout the world will be
screened. Please use Utah Street Entrance to Crossroads
Saturday, April 4
9:00 -5:00 Webcasts of 100 Hours of Astronomy
2:00 Family Program: Comets for Kids
Families
will learn about comets through demonstrations and activities. Intended
for elementary school/middle school students. Free and open to the
public. Lab of the Collins Learning Center.
7:00 Global Star Party
Like
observatories around the globe, the Door Peninsula Astronomical
Society will sponsor a star party--an activity at which amateur
astronomers share their telescopes and experience with the general
public. If skies are cloudy, 100 Hours of Astronomy webcasts will be
screened at the Stonecipher Learning Center.Please use Utah Street
Entrance to Crossroads
Sunday, Arpil 5
2;00-4:00 Sun on Sunday
Activites
relating to our closest star will be offered to families at the
Stonecipher Astronomy Center... whether or not the day is sunny.
Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
Many of
the Past News articles may be retrieved from this directory,
indexed and named in the following manner: 080101-news.htm
where
the first two numbers are the year, the second two the month and the
last two the date.
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