Family Fun on the Cheap

by Adele Woodyard
Now schools out, are you planning a Florida vacation?. Kids, some even younger than six, or older than 12.will enjoy these ten attractions because they’re fun; Mom and Dad will like them because six are FREE (donation welcome) and the other four are under $10 adult. Brief descriptions taken from my book, Florida “Freebies” and “Cheapies” 250 Daytrips for Little or No Money, with at least one from the Panhandle to Key West. Call or click for hours, days and any changes before you go.
Northwest Florida
Air Force Armament Museum has over 25 different aircraft, plus plenty of weaponry on exhibit. Kids get a chance to put hands-on in a cockpit. FREE. Elgin Air Force Base, 850-651-1808. http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com
Emerald Coast Science Center has inter-active exhibits especially for young‘uns. $5.75 adult. Fort Walton Beach; 850-664-1261. http://www.ecscience.org
North Florida
Tree-Hill Nature Center is a wildlife preserve and museum with indoor/outdoor activities. $4 adult.. Jacksonville, 904-724-4646. http://www.treehill.org
Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo has exotic animals seen on self-guided tours; guided by appointment only. Now open daily 9 a.m.-2 p..m. $5 adult. Gainesville, 352-395-5604. http://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo
West Central Florida
Tampa Firefighters Museum offers pretend time with bunker gear and fire truck replica for the young crowd. FREE. 813-964-6682. http://www.tampafiremuseum.org
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary treats up to 10,00 wild birds a year, the majority injured indirectly by humans. FREE. Seminole.727-391-6211. http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com
East Central Florida
Old Town is an old-timey amusement park where admission and parking are FREE, but rides, etc. are not. All ages for this one. Kissimmee, 407-396-4888; rides 407-390-0906. http://www.old-town.com”
South Florida
Lakes Regional Park, FREE, click on The Train Village at Lakes Park under Partnerships for RR museum and train ride, $5 (age 6 and over) Fort Myers, 239-533-7575., 239-267-1905. http://www.leeparks.org
FPL Energy Encounter with electricity interests the whole family in inter-active exhibits. FREE Hours flexible; call 877-375-4386 for availability. Jensen Beach. http://www.fpl.com/encounter
East Montello Museum and Gardens used to be a fort that now houses a 100 year old Haunted Doll. $7 adult. Key West. 305-296-3913. http://www.kwahs.com
Want to find more? Buy the book: $9.95. Details: http://www.adelesbooksandblogs.com or http://www.palmprintpress.com Credit card? :Amazon.com, gift shop or indie bookstore near you. .

May, Mother’s and Memorial Days

by Adele Woodyard
What are you doing/getting/planning with or for Mom on Mother’s Day? Need some ideas? Here’s just a few from FREE to the upper registers in cost. More important, is a choice based on what she likes best, be it wildlife, dance, drama, music, flowers—or YOU?
May 12-13.Mom has a FREE day at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, with her son or daughter who has a full admission paid ticket. You’ll get in Free too, if the day happens to fall on your birthday. May 30: Memorial Day is FREE for active and retired Military with ID. Even a freebie for up to three dependents 813-935-8552. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com .
Another FREEBIE is in Ocala where the College of Central Florida presents its 30th Annual Spring Ballet in the Dassance Fine Arts Auditorium. 1 p.m. Sat. May 12, 7 p.m. Sun. May 13. 3001 SW College Rd. 352-873-5800.
May 13 is the last chance to see The Rocky Horror Show, American Stage in the Park, at Demon’s Landing, St. Pete. 8 p.m. $11 advance, $13 at gate Sun., $14, $16 Fri. and Sat. 727-823-7529. http://www.americanstage.org
It’s Music on Mother’s Day in South Florida where classic oldies will be sung by the Blue Magic, Delfonces and Stylistics at the BankUnited Center, University of Miami, 1245 Dauer Dr. Coral Gables. Tickets start at $35. Call 954-791-4175. http://starlineent.com/events
If gardening is Mom’s passion, she’ll love the annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival that will continue to May 20, 2012. Fri.-Sun. there is a Flower Power Concert Series , 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. 1200 Epcot Resort Blvd. Lake Buena Vista. 407-824-4321. If she’s a Florida resident, she can spend a three-day weekend and see all Walt Disney World Resort theme parks for $99. Purchase through May 21. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com
Mom up for a little macabre? Mummies of the World will be at MOSI, Tampa now through Labor Day. This only Florida stop is nothing like the mummies she may have seen in the Egyptian section of New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Or the golden death’s head mask of King Tut at Busch Gardens. Where they remain wrapped as originally interred, these dried out, shrunken bodies are in full view, and the state of preservation is unbelievable. One child’s remains is said to be nearly 6.500 years old, a hyena less than 50. Unlike those from ancient Egypt, several of the mummies in the exhibit were naturally mummified by their environment. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. Sun. $18.95, $16. 95 seniors, $12.95 ages 2-12) for Exhibit only. 813-987-6000.

Thurs. May 31, Memorial Day, 6-9 p.m. brings a Red, White And Blue Celebration—Heroes Reunion in the Harbor, at Harbor Walk Village, Destin.. 850-424-0600.

Bargains–November

by Adele Woodyard
Not enough Trick or Treating? Fun around Tampa Bay next weekend won’t give you time to catch your breath for the rest of the month. Dates vary around the state for Veterans Day parades, with or without events, so click on http://www.vetfriends.com for one nearest you. Then it’s Thanksgiving—may you all have a happy one with family and friends.
Fri. Nov.4 the Sarasota Chalk Festival that began Nov. 1, comes to life when street artists do their thing to the theme Pavement Art Through the Ages, on S. Pineapple Ave. Street remains closed through Mon. Nov.7, for viewing completed work. FREE. http://www.chalkfestival.com
Sat. Nov. 5 take the kids to Cracker Country’s Fall Rural Life Festival for hands-on activities , like stuffing a scarecrow. There’s a fiddle competition to enter if you wield a bow. 10 a.m.-4p.m. $7 adult, $6 srs. and ages 6-12, 5 and under Free. Florida State Fairgrounds. 813-627-4225. http://www.crackercountry.org
Book Nook at the Pier Aquarium has a kids special—from 10:30-11:30 a.m. it’s all about Manatees. Free with admission: $5 adult, $4 (7+; 65+). http://www.pieraquarium.org
SPIFF has their 37th International Folk Fair at Vinoy Park, St. Pete from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Ethnic food and costumes, arts and crafts, music and live entertainment, with a Grand Parade of Nations 2 p.m. $7 adult, $5 srs and students, under 7 Free. 727-552-1846. http://www.spiff.org
No kids? Live it up with wine from around the world at the 10th annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival, 5-11 p.m. Live entertainment, food, and more on Main Street downtown. FREE. 727-724-1572. http://www.cityofsafetyharbor.com
Sat. Sun. Nov. 5-6 it’s Dunedin’s 48th Annual Art Harvest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Over 250 artists display and sell their work in Highland Park. FREE but parking $5. http://www.jlcd.org
Sat. Nov. 12 Fort Clinch, Fernandina Beach offers History of the American Soldier from the Revolutionary War to the present. Firing demonstrations, displays and period music add zing to the theme. Veterans and active military are invited to wear their uniforms to the event. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $6 per vehicle, up to 8 people plus one can of food for a local Food Pantry. 904-277-7274. http://www.floridastateparks.org
Sat. Nov. 26 the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show, Oldsmar presents their Holiday Show at 4 p.m. on Tower Lake. It’s the last exciting and colorful show of the season so not one to miss. FREE. 813-265-9685. http://www.tampawaterski.com
Sat.-Sun. Nov. 26-27 begin your Xmas shopping at the 21st Annual Arts and Crafts Festival in Tarpon Springs Historic Downtown. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. along Tarpon Ave. 727-937-6109. http://www.tarponspringschamber.com

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

by Adele Woodyard

Whether a weekend holiday or just for a day, here’s some ideas for family fun. Special breaks for the men and women in uniform may even extend to the kids.
May 28-29: Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, honors those who served in WWII with military displays and memorabilia from the 1940s. Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-noon. $6 per vehicle (up tp 8 persons) plus $2/person for fort. 904-277-7274.
NOTE: U.S. Armed Forces with proper identification papers can apply for a 25% discount on Annual Entrance Passes to Florida State Parks or Free for Life Family pass for self or surviving spouse if service connected disability or fallen in combat. For information check under Annual Passes, http://www.floridastateparks.org

May 28-30: MOSI, Tampa offers $5 admission to active and retired military, EMTS, firefighters and police officers, with valid IDs this weekend. Family members and guests (up to six people) will be allowed $5 off their admission tickets. For more info on this and other discounts, check Special Offers under http://www.MOSI.org

May 28: Taste spicy butts ‘n briskets at the 4th Annual BBQ Competition, Brooksville. Professional cook teams from the southeastern U.S. and backyard teams alike show their skills with the charcoal at Tom Varn Park; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE admission to park, 306 Darby Lane. 352-540-3830. http://www.cityofbrooksville.us

May 28-29: “The Kids Fringe Tour” is especially for families during the 12 -day “mild to wild” theatre. art and music offerings of the 20th Annual Orlando International Fringe Festival that began May 19. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, kids can enjoy hands-on activities, performing arts and costumed characters built around such themes as “Pirate and Fairy Day”. For info on place and price call 407-648-0077 or click http://www.orlandofringe.org

May 28-30: Celebration Station, Clearwater offers unlimited rides, and a round of golf for $12.99. Hot dogs for $1 over the holiday weekend. Park is at 24656 U.S. 19 N. 727-791-1799. http://celebrationstation.com

May 28, May 30: Take a cruise on the Dolphin Princess, Fort Myers. The Sunset Party boat sails from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday and Monday, a Dolphin Tour, 1:30-4 p.m. Monday. $15 adult, $10 ages 3-12. http://www.fortmyersprincess.com

Don’t forget the Florida Folk Festival, May 27-29 at Stephen Foster Culture Center, White Springs, or the FREE entrance to Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa for the military (and up to three dependents) on Monday, May 30. Full information on Bargains, May 1, 2011 blog.

Next week’s blog: Especially for Kids: II (I think)

Bargains–May

Here’s some FREE goodies for the Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends.
Fri. May 6: FREE Concert, Pops in the Park, 7:30 p.m. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, downtown Tampa. Donate canned goods for the Tampa Bay Harvest. 800-662-7286.

Sat. May 7: Springfest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Arts & Crafts booth, live snake demo, hayrides, boot camp challenge course, kids activities are all part of family fun. $6 per vehicle, up to 8 people, some activities may have extra charge. Hobe Sound; 772-546-2771. http://www.floridastateparks.org

Sat.-Sun. May 7-8: Mom gets in FREE from 9:30a.m.-5 p.m.at Lowry Park Zoo with purchase of son or daughter full price ticket (that day only). $18.95 ages 3-11, $23.95 12 and over. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com

Mom gets a FREE ride at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parish, with purchase of one child’s ticket. $10 kids, $14 adult. 941-776-0906; http://www.FRRM.org

Sun. May 8: If Mom is a fan of Ansel Adams take her to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa; Classic Images exhibition thru July 6, displays 54 b & w photos of his best work from 1921-1968. Noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. A docent tour starts at 2 p.m. $10 adult, $8 student, military. 813-221-2222. http://www.fmopa.org

Sat. May 14: 4th Annual Family Arts Fun Festival, Henderson Beach State Park, Destin. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. has performances by local artists, family fun activities and arts and crafts for FREE. 850-837-7550; abaty@okaloosaarts.org

3rd Annual Family Fun Fest, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, Keystone Heights offers bounce house, giant slide, fire truck, K-9 demos and more 10 a.m.-5 p,m. Included with $5 per vehicle, up to 8 people, entrance fee. 352-473-4701.

Sun. May 22: $5 Day for entry to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo (rides not included). Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free parking that day only next to Tampa Greyhound track, with Free shuttle to zoo.

Fri.-Sun. May 27-29: 59th Florida Folk Festival, Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park, White Springs. 3 days filled with music, dance, stories, and crafts with over 300 performances, celebrate Florida’s diverse cultures. Taste typical food such as collard greens and cornbread, chicken pilau and hoppin john, shrimp gumbo, curries, gyros and lime fizzies. Advance fees, adult: $20 day, $40 weekend; $4 ages 6-16 good all 3 days. After May 20, $25 and $50 adult; $5 ages 6-16. Under 6, Free. 877-635-3655. http://www.floridafolkfestival.com

Mon. May 30: Memorial Day is FREE admission to active and retired military at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa. Must have Dept. of Defense photo ID. May bring up to three direct dependents who can also enter at No Charge. 813-935-8552

Daytrips on a Flat Wallet

by Adele Woodyard
Sunday, March 20: the first day of Spring and snowbirds begin to think of return to the north where summer feels less like a furnace. Summer camps are already asking for registrations, for Floridians face what to do with the kids when school is out. Or think of where to go on vacation. A tough decision when gas prices are going through the roof, and money is in short supply. The last two possibilities are true even if the kids, like mine, are grown and gone.
In either case, the end of last week’s blog offered some money-saving tips in
75 FLORIDA “freebies” from the Panhandle to Key West: 7 pages of FREE daytrips to art and antiques, living history, military, museums , nature and wildlife. Wherever you live in the state, there should be at least one “freebie” near you. Note the following excerpts give you two within a few miles of each other.

Panhandle:
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Naval Air Station, Pensacola displays over 150 aircraft, from WWI balloons to Skylab2, over a 30,000 sq.ft building and the 37 acre grounds. The walk on an aircraft deck is also free, but rides in the Simulator and lunch at the Cubi Bar Café will cost a few $’s. 850-452-3604. www.navalaviationmuseum.org
While you’re there, drop in on Fort Barrancas. The fully restored fort was first built by Spain in 1698. Rebuilt in the 1800s by the U.S. Army to protect the harbor, Confederate soldiers bombarded Union forces at Fort Pickens during the Civil War. 850-455-5167 www.nps.gov/fortbarrancas.htm

Gulf Coast:
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Seminole is one of the largest wild bird hospitals in the United States. Those that cannot be returned to the wild can be seen in open pens, trees and roofs within the complex. 727-391-6211. www.seabirdsanctuary.com
Panama Canal Museum, Seminole shows the story of the tremendous effort it took to join the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. For instance, did you know that the Canal that finally opened on August 15, 1914 actually started as a Spanish king’s vision in 1534? 727-394-9338 www.panamacanalmuseum.org

I-75/Hwy 27 Corridor:
Royellou Museum, Mount Dora, named after the first postmasters three children, was once the jail/firehouse. 352-383-2165. www.mountdora.com
Nearby Renningers is one of the largest antique market’s in the state, as well as having a Farmer’s and Flea Market on the 117 acres. Along with the air conditioned main building, dealers have 20 individual cottages on the Street of Shops to display their wares. 352-383-8393. www.renningers.com

Atlantic Coast:
FPL Energy Encounter, Jensen Beach is a fun stop for kids of all ages. Over 30 displays and inter-active exhibits keep you on your toes. 877-375-4386 www.fpl.com/encounter
Stuart Heritage Museum once was a Seminole Trading Post back in the early settler days. Now you’ll find Seminole dolls in the gift shop and a “chickee” in the backyard. 772-220-4600 www.stuartheritage.org

Interested in seeing more? Just enclose $1 U.S. Dollar and a self-addressed , stamped (44 cent) envelope and mail to
Adele Woodyard
Palm Print Press
P.O. Box 1473
Tarpon Springs, FL 34688-1473
MORE Bargains on www.vacationfunflorida.com

Farewell to a Brooksville Icon

by Adele Woodyard

‘Try to see the world/with your heart/and everything will/ look like Christmas’ inscribed in the entrance stoop greeted guests to Rogers Christmas House and Village, for almost 40 years. Seven days a week, except on Christmas Day, the door opened to five buildings filled with holiday magic. What were once an unpretentious home, a carriage house, a stable, a garage were filled with gifts, not just for Christmas but year-round giving.

I finally succumbed to its lure while writing a regular Florida travel column for a now defunct magazine in the early 90s. Here’s some of what drew thousands of visitors from around the nation and other countries:

‘A map of the village leads you through rooms filled with German nutcrackers, nested figures, Steiff bears and Byers carolers; dolls of all shapes, ages and sizes; miniatures, holiday china, glass and linens; each room trimmed with at least one tree and swags of decorated greenery.

The enchanted world of children can be found in Storybook Land. Characters from Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Wizard of Oz, help illustrate those inside the books shelved in an Old-English Shoppe. There’s Santa’s workshop, whimsically trimmed trees, tiny dancing dolls, even a dark and scary corner devoted to Halloween.’

Other stops were the Country Cottage, more formal Magnolia House and a Little House Under the Oak Tree. Altogether they made for a delightful day trip even if you never purchased a thing. It all came to an end in this week’s four-day auction. The unique store had been in a downward spiral ever since founder Margaret (Weenie) Rogers Ghiotta died in 2006. There will always be shops that specialize in Christmas and Brooksville has other tourist attractions. But as one woman at the auction said, “People will still be talking about the Christmas House years from now.” .

Tampa “freebies” for the Memorial Day weekend

Florida Aquarium :Sat-Mon: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Two FREE tickets for Active duty, retired, National Guard with military ID. 50% off admission for up to four family members.
http://www.flaquarium.org 813-273-4000.

Henry B. Plant Museum: Sun. noon-4 p.m.. FREE admission for active and retired military and their families. http://www.plantmuseum.com 813-254-1891.

SS American Victory Ship:Sun. noon-5 p.m. All veterans FREE with one paying adult.
http://www.americanvictory.org

Lowry Park Zoo: Mon. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE admission for active, retired, National Guard with photo ID. Up to three direct dependents included. http://www.flaquarium.org 813-935-8552

Florida Salutes the Military

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum

by Adele Woodyard

When the Armed Forces Day weekend arrives May 15-16, active and retired servicemen will have FREE entry to a variety of events around the state. But first I must start with a salute to a military museum that’s FREE, not only to our men and women in uniform, but to every citizen. Opened in1998, Camp Gordon Johnston World War II Museum is filled with memorabilia donated by rapidly disappearing veterans, or their families, from around the country. Located in the little Panhandle town of Carrabelle, Camp Gordon Johnston was built in 1942 to train soldiers and their support groups in amphibious landings. A quarter of a million men had left their mark on the Gulf and its beach before it closed in 1946. Video, oral and written records of their personal wartime experiences add to the large collection of WWII artifacts representing each branch of the U.S.armed services. 850-697-8575; http://www.campgordonjohnston.com

Another museum that features WWII , although it includes wars through Vietnam, is the Armed Forces Military Museum, in Largo (1/8/09 blog). Opened in August, 2008, it, like the Carrabelle museum, is an effort to preserve its heritage after founder John Piazza found his granddaughter didn’t know who Hitler was. Vivid dioramas, real tanks, troop carriers, and other vehicles, a realistic attack on Pearl Harbor, a French church that has a paratrooper stuck on its spire, a D-Day landing on Utah Beach, are some of the 3-D scenes that fill the 35,000 sq. ft. building. You know the people are mannequins, yet they breathe life into a history that should never be forgotten. 727-539-8371. http://www.armedforcesmuseum.com

May 1-31 is a whole month of FREEBIES for active, retired and reserved military at the Fantasy of Flight in Polk City. A valid ID will admit you to a museum of 40 rare and vintage aircraft, many restored to flyable condition. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
863-984-3500; http://www.fantasyofflight.com .

Punta Gorda’s Military Heritage Museum is FREE for everyone and honors all branches of the Armed Forces. It’s over 30,000 artifacts and military memorabilia goes back to the Spanish-American War up to the mideast conflicts. The Museum will celebrate Armed Forces Day from 1-3 p.m., Sat. May 15. Located in Fishermen’s Village, a waterfront mall, you can also spend a day shopping, dining, even take a boat ride. 941-575-9002; http://www.mhaam.org

During the Armed Forces Day weekend, Naples Zoo welcomes active and retired military with ID for FREE. Enjoy a day with the animals, historic garden, shows, exhibits, and take a boat ride. Your family will have $2 off the regular price of $19.95 adult, $11.95 ages 3-12. 239-262-5409; http://www/napleszoo.org

Saturday, May 15: from 1-3 p.m. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales presents special carillon concerts to celebrate Armed Forces Day. FREE to active, retired or disabled military with ID. 863-676-1408. http://www.boktowergardens.org