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I have to chime in on this debate on holiday themes.  While at OMSI some
years back our Ex. Director at the time, in an effort to be non religious
and different decided we'd have a Renaissance Faire, complete with really
lovely costumes for all of us!  The "science" consisted of booths (like at
an outdoor Renfaire) that replicated 15th century science.  It all
culminated with a winter solstice feast and celebration.  Interesting, but
I'm not sure if people really made the connection....(solstice, science
etc).  The local Society for Creative Anachornism came and did weekend shows
on jousting, candle making etc.  All very interesting as these folks really
get into it.  We did however have to ask some of the "maidens" to reveal a
little less cleavage than their costumes normally revealed.

Last year our little center decorated a tree for the local Festival of the
Trees fundraiser (we got second place in our division, beat out by Cracker
Barrel of all people)....We decorated it all in an Astronomy theme with glow
in the dark stars, rockets, planets, lunar rovers....and a really cool tree
topper.  One of exhibit guys retrofitted one of the perpetual motion toys in
the science store as a tree topper....it went over very well.  We had some
left over ornaments so we decorated the tree for the center in the same way
and will be using it as our "tree" in the front lobby.



Marcia Hale
Events, Public Programming, Marketing
The Discovery Center of Idaho
131 Myrtle Street
Boise, ID  83702
208-343-9895


-----Original Message-----
From: David Taylor [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 2:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Deck the halls... but with what?

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

What about acknowledging the Winter Solstice.  This is not
a religious holiday but an astronomical event that takes place
when the sun shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.  Its
the day we call the first day of winter.

There are lots of educational things that can be done around
the tilt of the earth, the length of the day in the northern and
southern hemisphere, and the influence of the way these
things effect our weather.

David Taylor
AHHA Museum Services
  "Now I Understand"
    (206) 363-8126
   e-mail:   [log in to unmask]
http://www.AHHA-MuseumServices.com


From: Stephen Brand <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 15:43:22 -0400
Subject: Re: Deck the halls... but with what?

I agree with Beryl.  In the age of diversity and respect for others,
it's time that we as quasi public organizations come up with something
unique that doesn't force us to choose one holiday or the other many
that we can choose from.  We will always leave someone out. When I was
at a Ford Visitor's center - Spirit of Ford, we ran a winter experience
called, ICE.  We had lots of activities and exhibits about cold, snow
and driving in the winter (of course this was a car experience).  We
even had a Model A snow mobile on display.  That was very cool.   It was
a great experience and leveraged what we were all about -- cars, science
and technology. We even rented a fake, but life size  ice skating rink
outside where people skated around - It was easier than making real
ice..  Try doing that in 50 degree weather in Rockerfeller Center.  You
could in Detroit no matter how warm it was.

Due to corporate pressure we did have christmas trees, but it wasn't
really necessary.  Let's have winter festivals in our buildings and do
something that retail folks and religious organizations won't do.  This
approach doesn't make everyone happy, but it is certainly respectful of
differences.

And yes, many people will say, "but Christmas Trees aren't religious so
why do non-Christians feel so uncomfortable?"  Not all non christians
feel uncomfortable, but some do and we want to be welcoming to all,
don't we?  Believe me, it's even more uncomfortable when you express
your concern that you feel it's not welcoming and others become
defensive. Please do not give those who suggest alternatives a hard time
and say that they are ruining everyone's Christmas, they're just their
thoughts and being inventive and creative.  This is all about dialog and
working together.

Good luck.

Stephen

>>
****************************************************************************
*
>>
>> Greetings! We're having a small debate about our holiday season
>> decorations - as if there weren't enough to think about...  Anyone
>> care to
>> share thoughts about holiday decorating in your museum?  Santa?
>> Christmas
>> trees?  Hanukkah?  Kwanzaa? Boughs of holly?  All of the above?  None
>> of the
>> above?  Inclusive?  Religious?  Secular?  Pandora's box?
>>
>> Jim Taylor
>> Director of Programming
>> The Health Adventure
>> P.O. Box 180
>> Asheville, NC 28802
>> 828-254-6373 x 313
>> [log in to unmask]
>>


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