Bring Your Doll to Tea!

One of the dolls from the exhibit

I have finished preparations for Tea with the Curator: Bring Your Doll to Tea on December 30!

I wrapped the hats with tulle, leaving the tails to flow down the back. I have snipped all of the flowers off their stems so they can be glued to a hat (I cut my finger yesterday doing this, but it's nothing serious -- more annoying than anything else!). I have divided them into large, medium, small, and leaves (for filler).

I even made my own sample hat! Fun!

There are only a few more spots left for this program. Call the museum now at 330-455-7043 to make reservations!

Processing the last of the 2008 donations

I just have a few donations left to issue paperwork for as this year draws to a close!

It is important for people to receive paperwork dated in the correct year of their donation, particularly if they are going to use their donation for tax purposes. So every year in December, I check and re-check to make sure I have everything mailed out.

About 2 weeks ago I was current with my paperwork. But alas, it never lasts!

So my goal before Christmas is to get the last of the paperwork mailed out.

I haven't done as well with the Adopt-an-Artifact program in recent months, most likely because of the economy. But I do want to thank those donors who took the time to send me a check with their signed Deed of Gift.

Little amounts are greatly appreciated, and are added to other little amounts, until there is enough to buy lots of archival supplies!

Suite 101 article

Last week I was accepted as a freelance writer for Suite 101!

I wrote my first article on the McKinley National Memorial. Click here to see it!

I can write about anything on any channel, so if you have an article idea for me, please let me know!

Open Hearth Dinner

The chefs! Volunteer Bill Gouge is on the left and Chris is on the right.

Another success!

The entire event ran like clockwork, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves and left with full tummies!

Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who helped make this event so wonderful!

I was busy all night serving, but I did run down and get my camera when things were wrapping up. Here are some highlights:










Live violin music adds a festive touch to the evening!






Volunteer Tim Rowles clearing dishes away.

Volunteer Holiday Luncheon

Judy and Bill Gouge working on their Christmas carol trivia. (Judy faithfully reads this blog so I wanted to put up a picture of her!)

Again this year I am STUFFED!

I didn't have anything I didn't like. And I ate too much of it all.

Here are the volunteers, playing our annual "Twas the Night Before Christmas" game. Enjoy!

The Blue Olive and the Canton Classic Car Museum

Every year, the Special Events Committee gets together for lunch in December instead of having their regular monthly meeting. The day usually includes a tour of a local attraction, and lunch at a restaurant.

This year, we had lunch at The Blue Olive, which is located in the basement of the old Knights of Columbus building in downtown Canton. The food was great, and the atmosphere is really cool! They have live music in the evenings, so I think it would be fun to go back for dinner sometime.

After that, we had a wonderful tour of the Canton Classic Car Museum with Director Char Lautzenheiser. Wow, does she know her stuff!

As she is fond of saying, they are "so much more than cars." And they really are!

There are hundreds of antiques on display, and lots and lots of Canton memorabilia. One of the neatest things I saw was a baby bracelet worn by Katie McKinley, the president's daughter who died as a child.

Char is full of energy, and gave us a fantastic tour. She says she always tells her visitors to come visit us, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to encourage my blog readers to go visit her!

Holiday Open House

Fun was had by all at the Museum's annual Holiday Open House last Friday night!

Over 600 people came through to celebrate the holiday season with us! Here are just a few highlights of the evening:


Santa is always a favorite, with his "elf," volunteer Tina Taylor.


A live reindeer from Stump Hill Farms is always a big draw! Did you know it's the FEMALE reindeer who have antlers?


We had a ribbon cutting for our new tornado exhibit in Discover World.


Kids decorated their own pinecone decorations.


Another craft station for kids!


Volunteers Jane Turner and Patty Lue Roosa helped serve hot cider, homemade donuts, and gingerbread loaf.


Volunteer Bill Gouge cooking donuts over the fire.


Director of Education Chris Kenney cutting out the dough for the donuts!


A gorgeous doll in the Museum Shoppe! Remember, the Shoppe is a great place to find unique holiday gifts. And all these beautiful dolls are less than $20!