Remember the Eco Art project we did last month with the potatoes? Well, I can report that the one I made is actually growing! I'm tickled pink. We'll see how it looks in another few weeks.
All items from What's Happening at The Children's Museum of Memphis?
Our Cinco de Mayo event on Saturday was tons of fun! Here are a few pics!
Hey dear readers! Earth Day is this month (April 22, to be exact), so we've been doing earth-friendly art projects in April. Yesterday, we made potato plants, an idea I adapted from Eco Art. Also, I was inspired by our previous project about The Enormous Potato. If you want to try this at home, use a spoon or knife to hollow out the potato. Put a little soil and some seeds in there, and keep the potato moist. If all goes well, you'll see growth in a couple of weeks. I made one for my office, and I'll let you know how it's doing in a few weeks!
Name: Randy McKeel
Position: Chief Financial Officer
Hometown: Memphis
How long have you been at CMOM: This time 14 years and counting!
Favorite exhibit: Creative Constructions – because I loved playing with Legos when I was little – and now I love playing with Legos with my son!
Favorite book as a child/why?: The Hobbit – it was the first “big” book I read – then I tackled the Lord of the Rings series after that
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, antiques/auctions, shopping, spending time with my son
First museum ever visited: Pink Palace
Fun fact: I did my college internship at CMOM in 1991 right after CMOM opened on June 16, 1990! I also managed the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) for two years before it moved to Washington, DC.
Brrr! It’s cold outside, so come in to the Children’s
January 12—Safe Kids Safety Day Celebration (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.): Werre helping Safe Kids Mid-South commemorate 20 years of growing safe kids in Memphis and the surrounding areas. Join us as we present a special presentation of 9-1-1 Good Sense in a Pinch program and meet Fire Safe Frannie as you take a tour of our very own 36 ft. Fire Safety Trailer. Bring a safety tip that you and your family practice to post on our Kid’s Share Board to help keep other children safe and receive a prize from Ronald McDonald. Play our “What If” game to see if your child knows what to do if ever in an unsafe situation.
January 21—A Celebration Fit for a King (10 a.m. until 1 p.m.): Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. took a courageous stand for unity and equality for all people. Following the non-violent teachings of Gandhi, Dr. King's example of peaceful demonstrations made a powerful impact on the fight for civil rights. Join us as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Visitors will enjoy making crafts to commemorate the day, decorating squares of hope to be added to our ever-growing peace quilt. In addition, take part in the largest balloon release of hope while two doves of peace are being released into the air.
January 26—Treasures and Memories - Parent/Child Workshop with Mrs. Sew & Sew (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.): Everybody has a special garment of clothing that holds memories that are close to the heart. You and your child can bring an article of clothing and its memories to this workshop and hand stitch it into something new. Make a useful tote bag, book bag, keepsake pillow cover, or video game seat cover for yourself or create a gift for a loved You create a new memory with your family while learning a basic sewing skill for life. We’ll provide accessories like buttons, jewels, fabric paint and more to add to your project and everyone will receive before-and-after keepsake pictures of your project to take home. $20 per project.
We hope to see you soon!
Name: Sharon Rogness
Position: Member Services Coordinator
Hometwon: Moses Lake, Washington
How long have you been at CMOM: 4 and a half months
Favorite exhibit: the Fire Truck
What was your favorite book as a child and why? The Nancy Drew Series--I loved her sense of adventure and her fearlessness.
Hobbies: Yoga, running, photography, and watching Tiger basketball
First museum ever visited: Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport, MS
Fun fact: I was Mrs. Mississippi in 1996!
Every Tuesday at 10 a.m., the four-and-under set gathers for My First Book Club. For this program, guests hear a story (this week, I read the spectacular If You Give a Pig a Pancake--we're big Laura Numeroff fans here at CMOM) and make a craft based on the story (we made pig puppets, as seen above). Then, the kiddies have a healthy snack. Next week, we’re reading the very funny I’m Not Santa. Hope to see you there. My First Book Club is for kids four years old and under.
Name: Chara Mitchell
Position: Programs Assistant
Hometown: Memphis, TN
How long have you been at CMOM?: 7 months
Favorite exhibit: The Kroger grocery store, of course!
Favorite book as a child: Ramona and Beezus
Hobbies: Party planning
First museum ever visited: The Children’s Museum of Memphis and the Pink Palace
Fun fact: I met Muhammad Ali when I was four years old.
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| New hula hoops! |
Once again, here are 25 things to do at our musuem!
1. Play checkers on our giant checkerboard
2. Check out the splash park construction (it's opening May 2013!)
3. Have a hula hoop contest with our new hula hoops
4. Take a picture at the new Pinwall
5. See how high you can climb on the climbing wall
6. Climb through the house at The Campground
7. Measure your height and weight in Growing Healthy
8. Arrange and rearrange the organs of the Growing Healthy doll (it’s a little tricky)
9. Build a skyscraper in Creative Construction
10. Play with the new and improved flight simulator
11. Visit the Village Toymaker gift shop
12. See the circulatory system in action in Growing Healthy
13. Check out the giant thermometer in Growing Healthy
14. Grab a partner and play with the musical see-saw
15. Come to Mini Maestro (December 5, 8, 12, and 19)
16. Experience Nature Art Walk (Dec. 1, 15, and 22)
17. See what you can win in Bozo’s Grand Prize Game (Dec. 13 and 16)
18. Join in all the Reindeer games (Dec. 2 and 20)
19. Check out our new 10 Mississippi River facts sign and learn fun facts about the river
20. Check out the quarter of the Northern Mariana Islands (did you know they have one?)
21. Look out for a fun science project on our Mobile Mad Science cart!
22. Make Alex juggle bean bags
23. Play the matching game in Windows to the World
24. Identify the nursery rhymes in the Once Upon a Time quilt
25. Have a toddler basketball challenge in Playscape
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| New hula hoops! |
Once again, here are 25 things to do at our musuem!
1. Play checkers on our giant checkerboard
2. Check out the splash park construction (it's opening May 2013!)
3. Have a hula hoop contest with our new hula hoops
4. Take a picture at the new Pinwall
5. See how high you can climb on the climbing wall
6. Climb through the house at The Campground
7. Measure your height and weight in Growing Healthy
8. Arrange and rearrange the organs of the Growing Healthy doll (it’s a little tricky)
9. Build a skyscraper in Creative Construction
10. Play with the new and improved flight simulator
11. Visit the Village Toymaker gift shop
12. See the circulatory system in action in Growing Healthy
13. Check out the giant thermometer in Growing Healthy
14. Grab a partner and play with the musical see-saw
15. Come to Mini Maestro (December 5, 8, 12, and 19)
16. Experience Nature Art Walk (Dec. 1, 15, and 22)
17. See what you can win in Bozo’s Grand Prize Game (Dec. 13 and 16)
18. Join in all the Reindeer games (Dec. 2 and 20)
19. Check out our new 10 Mississippi River facts sign and learn fun facts about the river
20. Check out the quarter of the Northern Mariana Islands (did you know they have one?)
21. Look out for a fun science project on our Mobile Mad Science cart!
22. Make Alex juggle bean bags
23. Play the matching game in Windows to the World
24. Identify the nursery rhymes in the Once Upon a Time quilt
25. Have a toddler basketball challenge in Playscape
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| Alex is a jack of all trades! |
Name: Alex Smythe
Position: Visitor Service Coordinator
Hometown: Midtown Memphis, TN
How long have you been at CMOM: I have been working here for a little over a month.
Favorite exhibit: I really love the Tree House, I think the paper plane launcher is really fun. Watching kids try to figure it out then when they finally launch a plane and seeing their faces light up is just a great feeling.
Favorite book as a child/why? There was a series called “Redwall” by an author named Brian Jacques. The series was an easy-to-read fantasy about mice living in a kingdom trying to defend themselves against the evil rats. It was a great read. In fact, I picked it up recently to see if it was as good as when I was a kid and I still really enjoyed it.
Hobbies: Too many…I fly traction kites, Photography, soccer, and I am a carpenter.
First museum I ever visited: My earliest memories of museums were both of the Children’s Museum of Memphis, as well as the Pink Palace. I loved museums as a child, I was fascinated in everything and always wanted to learn and understand.
Fun Fact: Before working at the Children’s Museum I was a professional photographer, and I had a darkroom for developing 35mm film in my basement when I was growing up.
When I first started working at CMOM, I became fascinated with the history of our building, which was formerly a National Guard Armory. I wanted more info about the building, so I trotted to the library, looked up some articles about the building, and wrote an article. The article is on our website, but I’d like to include it here as well--because, after two years, I'm still fascinated. And maybe, dear reader, you are too. So here it is:National Guard Armory
A Short History
Many Memphians are aware that before The Children’s Museum of Memphis occupied 2525 Central, the building was home to a National Guard armory. However, the journey to CMOM has some interesting facts that may have been forgotten.
Plans for a National Guard armory date back to 1932. Construction of the armory was completed 10 years later, and in September 1943, the building was dedicated. The armory housed the 115th Field Artillery. Governor Prentice Cooper was in attendance at the dedication, and called the building “the finest armory in Tennessee” (The Commercial Appeal, 9/7/1943). Also present was Associate Justice Frank H. Gailor of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Gailor presented the armory to the State Armory Commission, and it was accepted by Adj. General T.A. Frazier, commanding general of the Tennessee State Guard. Mayor Walter Chandler also spoke at the event. Interesting fact: Hollywood Street was previously called “Huguenot.”
By the late 1970s, the building had outlived its usefulness to the Tennessee National Guard. The city and county then engaged in a “squabble” over who would get the title of the armory (Roy Hamilton, Memphis Press-Scimitar, 4/16/77). The city of Memphis gained the title, and construction of a new armory in South Memphis began in the early 1980s. Several plans for the property were discussed; the main plan was for the property to be used for additional parking for the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and the Mid-South Fairgrounds. However, the “possibility of renovating the old armory to handle the sale of state auto tags and city stickers has also been discussed” (Hamilton). Interesting fact: the mayor at the time was Wyeth Chandler, son of Walter Chandler, who was mayor of Memphis when the armory was dedicated.
In 1988, the city agreed to lease the armory to the future Children’s Museum of Memphis for $1 a year. A Commercial Appeal article noted that the “squat masonry building” was no longer used by the National Guard (Thomas Jordan, The Commercial Appeal, 11/16/88). However, the building is not only an interesting figure in Memphis history, but has since hosted thousands of smiling children. Interesting fact: Dick Hackett, mayor of Memphis in 1988, is now CEO of The Children’s Museum of Memphis.
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| Pretty fall leaves |
September is here! This means that autumn (my favorite season, by the way) is almost here. September at CMOM will bring some exciting things! For starters, we will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Labor Day (September 3). On September 15, there is the Children’s Choice Presidential Election, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Children can cast their vote for president in this interactive, educational program about voting and the presidential election. They will register to receive their own voting card, create campaign buttons and posters for their favorite candidate, cast their vote in a real voting booth and take part in interactive games, crafts and activities to introduce the presidential election process and our judicial system. Spin the wheel to answer trivia questions about our past presidents and win prizes. All votes will be counted and results posted on our website and in The Commercial Appeal.
Later this month, there is the second annual Children’s Ball. The Ball will be on September 28, from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. More info can be found here.
Stop by CMOM this month!
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| Felicia is reading Green Eggs and Ham to enraptured visitors! |
Name: Felicia Peat
Position: Director of Education and Programs
Hometown: Memphis, TN
How long have you been at CMOM? Since May 1993
Favorite exhibit: CMOM-TV
Favorite book as a child: Amelia Bedelia
Hobbies: Reading and swimming
First museum ever visited: The Pink Palace, on a school field trip
Fun fact: I have had stories published. Also, I was Miss LeMoyne-Owen College—the only “Mrs.” to ever become Miss LeMoyne-Owen College—while serving with the Student Government Association of the school.
Here at CMOM, we love to read. A lot. And you do too, right? So take part in our Reading Blast Off! Challenge on Friday, July 20. The event is from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Come into the museum to enjoy face painting and balloon art by Parties with Pizzazz and receive a free book to start reading 7 books in 7 days or 7 chapters in 7 days. You may pick up your reading form at the admission desk or download it from the Education page on our website at cmom.com. All completed forms must be turned in to The Children’s Museum of Memphis admissions desk by July 31 to receive up to $7.00 in Blast Off Bucks that may be used in The Village Toymaker Gift Shop CMOM location. See you there!
Here at CMOM, we occasionally discover lost items...including barrettes! I noticed this when I first started working here, and at the beginning of this year, I decided to see how many barrettes could be collected in a few months. Turns out, quite a few! And such a variety! Some of my co-workers learned of my little "collection," and brought me some of the hair ornaments you see in the picture. By the way, if you see one that belongs to you, let me know!
P.S. I know this is a little odd, and I am grateful that my co-workers are awesomely non-judgemental of my idiosyncrasies!
We're lining up an all-star cast of continuous stage performances for our second annual Jammin’ to the Music event, which is this Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. We'll have pony rides, rock climbing wall with bungee trampolines, moonwalk, face painting, crafts, and concessions. Also, music by Brittany Russell, Lil P-Nut, The Friendzies, Lady Trinity and Thunderpunch is sure to rock the front lawn! The event is sponsored by Amerispan Tents, Inc., Blue Bell Creameries, Inc., Bunny Bread, King Cotton and Kroger. Members Free; Non-Members $15 (Cancelled in case of rain).
Name: Vania Rentrop
Position: Gallery assistant/cashier
Hometown: Memphis, TN
How long have you been at CMOM?: Almost two months!
Favorite exhibit: the Treehouse
Favorite book as a child: Corduroy by Don Freeman. I felt that my adventurous (mischievous) nature was conveyed well within those pages.
Hobbies: In my spare time, I enjoy baking and cooking. I also consider myself a bookworm and a camera nerd.
First museum ever visited: The Pink Palace
Fun fact: I have visited all 48 continental U.S. states in my dad's 18-wheeler.
Dear reader, it’s been so long since I’ve blogged! So sorry. Spring is here (yay!) and some fun things are happening at CMOM this month. In honor of Earth Day, we are doing Eco Art on April 21 and April 27, at 11 a.m. Also, Jammin’ to the Music is April 28, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be pony rides, rock climbing wall with bungee trampolines, moonwalk, face painting, crafts, concessions, and music by Lil P-Nut and The Friendzies! Sponsored by Amerispan Tents, Inc., Blue Bell Creameries, Inc., Bunny Bread, King Cotton and Kroger. Members Free; Non-Members $15 (Cancelled in case of rain). Stop by CMOM this month!
Get excited, dear readers! This Friday, March 2, CMOM is celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday with a variety of activities (from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.) Kids can make their own elephant ears (like Horton), participate in a scavenger hunt, listen to Dr. Seuss stories...and meet a very special guest! Don't forget to wear red and white like the Cat in the Hat. We hope to see you there!
By the way, here's my favorite Dr. Seuss quote (from The Cat in the Hat Comes Back):
When our mother went
Down to the town for the day,
She said, "Somebody has to
Clean all this away.
Somebody, SOMEBODY
Has to, you see."
Then she picked out two Somebodies.
Sally and me.
