By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Atlanta Metro  > Fulton County > Atlanta

Art is a real hands-on experience at the High Museum’s “Toddler Thursday” workshops in the Greene Family Learning Gallery.

There are numerous reasons to visit the High Museum of Art in Atlanta—everything from the permanent collection “American Art” to the newly opened exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius.” But did you know about the ongoing family programs that the High hosts each week?

Toddler Thursday is just that — on Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., you can drop by the Greene Family Learning Gallery (a space designed for children where families can play together in five, fun activity areas) with your 2 - 5 year old to create a piece of art. Remaining projects for Toddler Thursdays this month show parents and little ones how to make collages (October 22) and wearable crowns (October 29).

Often, the High Museum of Art presents programs for families that are an outgrowth of current exhibitions. For instance, in conjunction with its John Portman exhibit, the museum will collaborate with the American Institute of Architects to present the Youth Architecture Fair for students, teachers and families on October 24. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > West Central Georgia > Harris County > Pine Mountain

Walk amongst a thousand tropical butterflies fluttering freely through the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens. 

When Cason Callaway, leading Georgia businessman and personal friend of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, stepped down as leader of the family mill empire, the LaGrange textile magnate decided to pursue a longtime dream to farm. His dream first took shape when his wife Virginia and he, while exploring Pine Mountain in the 1920s, spotted the deep, clear pool of Blue Springs underneath a granite cliff. Enchanted, they visited frequently; and on one summer picnic, they found a rare Plumleaf azalea. Upon investigation, they discovered that the July-blooming azalea was native only within a 100-mile radius of Blue Spring. The flower inspired them to purchase the land in Harris County adjacent to Blue Springs and later to build Callaway Gardens.

Today, Callaway Gardens is a 13,000-acre manmade landscape in a natural setting with gardens, woodlands, lakes, wildlife and recreation facilities. The Plumleaf, or Prunifolia, azalea today serves as the Gardens’ floral emblem.

You can visit the Azalea Bowl, a 40-acre garden with more than 3,400 hybrid azaleas ­– fantastic in spring; Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden, a 7.5-acre demonstration garden where the popular PBS television show “The Victory Garden” is taped; the historic Overlook Garden; and the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center, a garden/ greenhouse where something is always in bloom; and much more. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

The gopher tortoise, which lives in dry, sandy regions and is native to Georgia’s coast, can be see in the wild at Oatland Island Wildlife Center.

American bison, white-tailed deer, gray wolf, red fox, nine-banded armadillo, peregrine falcon, sandhill crane, gopher tortoise and bald eagle—these are just some of the natural wildlife of Georgia and the nation that you can see at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah.

Located less than five minutes from Savannah’s historic district, the wildlife center has over 100 acres of maritime forest and exhibits 50 species of animals. Outdoor exhibits include the Wolf Wilderness, Alligator Wetlands, Predators of Georgia, and Birds of Prey. Goats, pigs, donkeys and sheep are just some of the animals found in the Georgia Farm area. (more…)

By Sherri Smith Brown

Learning to scoop, measure and mix ingredients is just part of the fun at the Young Chefs Academy. Kids make the recipes from scratch and then have the delight of eating their culinary creations, too.

Did you ever imagine that you might be raising the next Rachael Ray or Emeril Lagasse? Being a chef when they grow up or just cooking in the kitchen with mom or dad is many times a favorite with kids of all ages. From KinderCooks to Master Chefs, the Young Chefs Academy is one place where children can take classes to experience the joys of cooking and learn age-appropriate cooking skills.

The cooking school offers regular weekly classes as well as summer camps, scout merit badge programs and holiday workshops. You can even cook up a birthday party! We hosted a 5-year-old birthday party for Brianna and her pre-school class last spring. The children learned to measure, made their own dough, and decorated their own personal pizzas. The lively staff led them in fun activities and handled the details of the whole party—from mailing out invitations to opening birthday gifts to assembling party gift bags. (more…)