InsidersGuide_BuyTheBook_2006Editions

 
 

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KIDSTUFF TIPS

InsidersGuide_BuyTheBook_2006Editions

spacer.gif (818 bytes)Once upon a time, there was a beautiful place at a point where two rivers met. It was such a beautiful place that even the first person who ever saw it — a Tuscarora Indian — wanted to live there. In fact, the entire tribe decided it was a good place to live. There were lots of fish in the two rivers, game to hunt in the forest and many trees that the Native Americans could use to build all the things they needed.

One day, some other people arrived in the beautiful place. Their leader was from a far-away place called Bern, Switzerland. The people saw the two rivers that came together and admired the big forest that had what they needed to build things. They also decided that this was the best place in the New World to live. They called the place New Bern to remind them of their old city. Except for once or twice, the people of New Bern got along pretty well with the Tuscarora Indians, but that's another story.

The people of New Bern built a fine town with pretty houses, and their town became a capital where the king sent a governor to rule the whole land. The people built a fine house in New Bern for the governor –- a palace. Everyone loved the palace, and people came from all over the land to see and enjoy it. Even pirates came up the river from the sea to see the town with the palace. And because it was always a beautiful place to live, people kept coming to New Bern.

Over the years, the people of New Bern got together to build a fort for their children to play in and places where their children have parties, eat ice cream and purchase toys. Today, they bring wonderful performers from far away to teach and entertain the children. They even have a variety of summer and day camps where children can feed farm animals, experience colonial life or just have fun being a child. From near and far, visitors still bring their children to New Bern to enjoy the town with a real palace, and the people of New Bern continue to live happily ever after. Read on for the details. This is hardly The End. MH 11-02-07

 

 

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Arts

The Accidental Artist
220 Craven St., New Bern
(252)
634-3411

You might think The Accidental Artist is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon when the kids have decided there's nothing else to do. Actually this is a great place to have fun no matter what the weather is like! At this studio, you can showcase your creativity by selecting and painting your own pottery. The Accidental Artist will then fire your one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Come relax in the informal atmosphere and give your artistic impulses free reign. If you are feeling creatively challenged, the in-house artist can create an item for you. You can even book studio space for birthday parties, club meetings and other special occasions. The Accidental Artist is open daily.MH 10-29-07

Art & Materials
219 Middle St., New Bern
(252) 514-2787

Art & Materials is a great place for kids (of all ages) to explore their artistic impulses. It is also the only place in New Bern to purchase the supplies for whatever art form one wishes to pursue. The shop features a variety of workshops in painting, drawing, pottery and more. Owners Chris and Shelley Mathiot bring in some of the finest local artists to teach summer camps, after-school art lessons, special holiday sessions and classes for home-school students.MH 10-29-07

Craven Arts Council & Gallery
Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St., New Bern
(252) 638-2577

The Craven Arts Council & Gallery sponsors two week-long fun and educational Summer Arts Camps for children ages 4 to 12 (morning and afternoon sessions). Day campers strengthen their creativity in process-oriented activities in arts disciplines such as creative drama, music, creative movement and visual arts. Classes for particular age groups are limited, so early registration is a good idea.MH 10-29-07

 

   

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Eats

Bear City Fudge Company
244 Craven St., New Bern
(252) 6
70-8675

What better way to treat the kids — and yourself, too — than with a delicious piece of homemade fudge? Bear City Fudge Company offers at least 25 flavors. Some days there are more to enjoy. Sample tastes are offered to help you decide between the classic flavors and the more exotic ones. Platters, special orders and other services also are available. While you're waiting for your order, you'll enjoy looking at the many teddy bears on display and the mural that depicts the Craven Street of days gone by. Bear City Fudge Company is open Monday through Saturday.MH 10-29-07

The Cow Cafe
319 Middle St., New Bern
(252) 672-9269

The Cow Cafe is not only for the young but also the young at heart. New Bern's only "Four Hoof" restaurant is in the historic downtown area. Its delicious menu features such delights as the Save-A-Cow barbecue baskets, the Grazin' Garden Salad, El Moo's Chili and other favorites among the sandwiches, soups and salads offered. Of course, you'll want to save some room for gourmoo popcorn, ice cream and tasty milk shakes. The cow boutique features plenty of cow-inspired items, where you can find the perfect gift for all ages that says "I love moo." The Cow Cafe is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.MH 10-29-07

Marina Sweets Cafe & Deli
208 Middle St., New Bern
(252) 637-9307

Marina Sweets has long been an Insider kids' favorite because of its baked goods and ice cream. Milk shakes, banana splits and sundaes are cool treats you must try during a busy expedition in New Bern. Parents will appreciate the opportunity to introduce their children to the old-fashioned atmosphere of an honest-to-goodness ice cream shop.MH 10-29-07

 

   

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Farms

A Day at the Farm
183 Woodrow McCoy Rd., Cove City 
(252) 514-9494

For an "udderly" good time, visit A Day at the Farm, located 20 minutes west of New Bern off U.S. Highway 70. A Day at the Farm, a former dairy that operated from 1947 to 1993, offers kids a chance to see how an old-time dairy farm operated by letting them explore old barns, an old kitchen and other outbuildings dating back to 1896. One of the most popular events is the Easter Egg Hunt. Other group activities may include butter-making the old-fashioned way. The Pack House is a great place for a sleepover in the loft, or a special party event. A Day at the Farm also sponsors a week-long summer camp that gives young people (and the young at heart) an idea of the fun and chores of farm life. Prices vary depending on activity; call ahead for more information and for an appointment or for information about special events. Gifts and treats are available in the ice cream parlor and gift shop.MH 10-29-07

Kirkman's Farm & Petting Zoo
5255 N.C. Hwy. 55 W., Cove City
(252) 638-1847

A family-run operation located about 20 minutes west of New Bern, Kirkman's Farm is a real working farm where visitors can see many of the day-to-day activities that go along with growing crops such as corn, wheat, rye, oats, hay and pumpkins. In addition to seeing the farming activities, children will enjoy the opportunity to feed and pet the farm’s many barnyard buddies, including goats, potbelly pigs, rabbits, ponies, cows, a miniature donkey and more. In season, the farm offers hayrides and a pumpkin patch. At Christmas, hayrides tour the farm's lights and decorations. Anytime you plan to visit, be sure to call ahead for an appointment.MH 10-29-07

 

   

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Learning

Build and Grow Program
Lowe's, 150 Lowe's Blvd., New Bern
(252) 638-6777

Build and Grow is a free program held the second Saturday of every month for children grades 2 through 5. Lowe's provides all materials and supplies, and each child is given his or her own work apron and safety goggles. As children complete a project, they are awarded a certificate, as well as a patch for their apron. A parent must accompany the child throughout the activity. A word to the wise: Pre-registration is absolutely required at the Customer Service Desk as Lowe's only receives enough kits for the number of children who are pre-registered.MH 10-29-07

New Bern-Craven County Public
Library Children's Programming

400 Johnson St., New Bern
(252) 638-7815

The children's library at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library is well-organized for toddlers through sixth-graders to enjoy selecting from the collection of books, videotapes and audio cassettes. Stories on CD-ROM are available for use in-house on the department's computers. Help is plentiful. Weekday programs for children include Time Out For Toddlers on Friday at 9:30 AM, featuring stories, songs and finger plays for children ages 3 and younger. Preschool Storysteps for ages 3 to 5 takes place Tuesdays at 9:30 AM, offering stories, puppet plays, music and other fun. The Children's Story Hour is held Thursday at 4 PM for children between the ages of 5 and 10 and involves storytelling, movies and creative activities. The Story Seekers program fosters the imaginations of children ages 10 and older through puppetry and storytelling. (Pre-registration is required for Story Seekers.) The library hosts a number of other special programs throughout the year, including the Summer Reading Book Club.MH 10-29-07

New Bern Historical Society
512 Pollock St., New Bern
(252) 638-8558

Every spring, the New Bern Historical Society hosts a Civil War Adventure Day for boys and girls at the location of the Battle of New Bern, which took place in 1862. This event brings history to life in an encampment-style environment that features authentic drills, musket-shooting demonstrations and more. While these programs are fee-based, members of the historical society receive a discount.MH 10-29-07

Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
Pollock and George Sts., New Bern
(252) 514-4900, (800) 767-1560

Besides the standard tour (admission fee of $6 for children grades 1 to 12 and free for children kindergarten-age and younger), Tryon Palace offers a number of pint-sized programs designed to foster an interest in history, among them the summer Camp Yesteryear, the Colonial Fife & Drum Corps, and holiday day camps, concerts, films and more. Information on age limitations, registration and fees, where applicable, is available by calling the number above.MH 10-29-07
 

   
WNOS 1450 AM
116 S. Business Plaza, New Bern
(252) 633-1490
www.playground1450.com
WNOS1450AM_PlaygroundRadio_NewBernNC_32609

"Playground Radio 1450" is new kid-friendly format for radio station WNOS 1450 AM in New Bern. The idea is to provide a fun, engaging station kids really want to tune in, and also one that parents can turn to as safe and appropriate. Programming is aimed at kids from toddlers through middle school and their parents. You will hear popular music from artists and movie soundtracks, TV theme songs and skits, and educational content. Hook up with Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, the Cheetah Girls, Dan Zanes, High School Musical, the Laurie Berkner Band, and Enchanted. There are weekly features including "The New Bern Time Capsule," a weekly look at local history; "Classics for Kids," which introduces listeners to classical music, composers and styles; "Schoolhouse Rock," a series of upbeat songs that teach American history, math, grammar, science and economics; "Nature Watch," which explores the world of wild birds and animals; and "Calendar Countdown," which looks at upcoming calendar events and explains their origins and current observation in kid-friendly terms. MH 10-29-07
 

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