Friday, November 29, 2013

Season's Sweetness

Posted by Matt Berman

Check out our Holiday Houses display in the Virginia Discovery Museum lobby,
complete with gummy bear Santa, marshmallow snowman, and sugar cone
evergreens. Kudos to Kaitlin Clear, VDM education manager, for the sweet design.


I don't recall any particular memory growing up of decorating a gingerbread house, which is odd to me because decorating a gingerbread house seems like such a quintessential Christmas-y activity. In fact, it's a holiday tradition that can be traced back for centuries.

I can only imagine my childhood lack of confectionary construction experience stemmed from my parents' unfounded fear that I'd turn into some kind of sugar-obsessed Hansel and Gretel clone if presented with a candy-coated winter wonderland. Well, maybe that fear wasn't completely unfounded; just this past Tuesday, I was banned from the kitchen during prep for the Virginia Discovery Museum's upcoming Holiday Houses event because I kept snacking on all the building materials. And I'm currently 27.

What can I say? My resolve is no match for M&M's and gummy bears.

With the first two of the museum's four Holiday Houses sessions set to start next week, there's still time to reserve your spot for this event, so come celebrate the sweetness of the season with us! Each child who registers with an accompanying adult gets their own pre-assembled graham-cracker house to decorate with a variety of goodies, including peppermints, Skittles, Life Savers Gummies, marshmallows, Dots, Hershey's Kisses, and more.

This event is for children 4 and older, with an adult.

  • Sessions:
    • Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m.
    • Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
    • Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m.
    • Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
  • Cost:
    • Members: $8 per person, children and adults
    • Non-members: $10 per person, children and adults

Space is limited, so register in person at the museum or call (434) 977-1025. If you have any questions, call or email Kaitlin Clear, VDM education manager, at education@vadm.org.

Matt Berman is the Exhibits and Marketing Manager at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Reach him at exhibits@vadm.org or marketing@vadm.org.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Planner: Holiday Happenings

I'd like to introduce you to a new weekly feature we're trying out here at Destination: Discovery called the "Planner." Starting today and continuing on Sundays after that, the Planner will provide a detailed rundown of what's happening at the museum each week and offer a quick preview of any special events taking place that month. If you forget to check the blog on Sunday, though, don't worry -- I'll also provide a link to the Planner from our Facebook page and our Twitter account that morning.

 

Closed Wednesday and Thursday

With the holiday season about to get into full swing, this particular edition of the Planner isn't going to be nearly as stuffed as your Thanksgiving turkey. The museum will be closed all day Wednesday and Thursday, so that means no Toddler Time, Tidal Wave Thursdays, or Science Club this week.

Open Friday and Saturday

We'll be open again Friday at 10 a.m., so after you're finished bagging all those Black Friday deals, stop by the museum for a chance to play and unwind from the shopping shenanigans.

Our 50 Nifty United States drop-in program will be back from its two-week hiatus and will hit the road for Massachusetts, where Dr. James Naismith created the game of basketball in 1891. Visitors will get a chance to show off their shooting skills on our miniature court as they learn how points are scored. The drop-in, which is geared toward children 4 and older, meets at 4 p.m. in the program room and is free with admission.

Can't make it Friday? After a week of friends, family, and holiday cheer, it's understandable you need a break, so get out of the house on Saturday, come to the downtown mall, and use the afternoon to relax and recover at the museum. And the best part is that you don't have to worry about cleaning up another mess; that's on us!

Looking Ahead

As we get ready to turn the corner into December, here are a couple upcoming events to keep in mind:

Holiday Houses
With a little over a week left until the first session, registration is in full-swing for this annual event. Come celebrate the sweetness of the season by decorating your very own graham-cracker house with an assortment of goodies to create a candy-coated winter wonderland! The event is for children 4 and older, with an adult.
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 7 & 14
  • Time: 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day
  • Cost: $8 per person (members); $10 per person (non-members)
Space is limited, so register today by calling (434) 977-1025. If you have any questions, call or email education@vadm.org.

Santa Pancake Breakfast
You'll flip for these delicious pancakes, which will be catered by a special guest chef! Plus, Santa is making a special trip from the North Pole with Rudolph in order to attend the event as he works on checking his list ahead of the holidays. Each family will enjoy their own table, as well as a private meeting with the jolly old elf!
  • When: Sunday, Dec. 15
  • Time: 10 a.m. seating
  • Cost: $10 per person (members); $12 per person (non-members)
Space is limited, so register today by calling (434) 977-1025. If you have any questions, call or email education@vadm.org.

Matt Berman is the Exhibits and Marketing Manager at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Reach him at exhibits@vadm.org or marketing@vadm.org.