There is practically nothing more fun than playing with magnets. They are filled with mystery. They hold stories from the beginning of time. They work in invisible ways.
The magnet table at the Raven Hill Discovery Center is always popular. Now that I think of it, I have not been out there since all the remodeling, and I do not know where the magnet table is now. But I’m going to find out. January 8 is Second Saturday, and unless we have two feet of snow and howling winds, I’m going over to the center to help a bunch of cute kids have a wonderful time. You might give some thought to piling your cute kids in the car and coming along. It’s the second Saturday of the month, and that means it’s free. Here’s Cheri Leach’s press release:
It’s a FAMILY AFFAIR at Raven Hill Discovery Center this second Saturday in 2011—January 8th from noon to 4 pm. Thanks to a grant awarded by the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, the Center will continue to offer free admission for families and special science activities on the second Saturday of each month . . . . Once again family groups will be able to strengthen creative & critical thinking skills by exploring a different science concept each month, plus enjoy the museum, animals and outdoor exhibits. The focus this Saturday will be Magic of Magnets. Learn how magnets work, how they are used and how they relate to electricity.
Raven Hill Discovery Center is located between East Jordan & Boyne City, just off C-48 at Pearsall Road. For more information or questions or for winter road conditions, please call 231.536.3369.
Cheri sent a photo, too. It is not about magnets, but it is about the magnetic attraction the animal room seems to exert on kids.
On me not so much. I’ll be out by the magnet table, wherever it’s gotten to. Volunteering at Raven Hill is an astonishing amount of fun.
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
January 6, 2011
I hope the boy is not eating that–lizard? Oh, no, must exercise my depth perception. (Reading Oliver Sacks is enough to make the world look different for quite a while.) Raven Hill sounds like a wonderful place for a winter expedition.
Gerry
January 6, 2011
It is! You would enjoy Cheri very much. In her fertile brain, art, science, history and the land are the proper study of children, and she makes all of it irresistible. Amazing person, Cheri.
Nye
January 7, 2011
This reminds me that we need to visit the science center also. That magnet table looks interesting, I’m sure it’s very popular amongst kids, sounds like adults too. 🙂
Gerry
January 7, 2011
Yes indeed, Ben’s mom enjoyed herself! The big hit that day, though, was the animal room.
flandrumhill
January 7, 2011
The mystery and allure of magnets has to do with that whole business of opposites attracting. Same goes for good romances and the way cute kids are drawn to scaly-skinned reptiles.
Gerry
January 7, 2011
Equally fascinating is that same poles repel. Oh dear. Now you’ve got me thinking that I might be a scaly-skinned reptile.
thewestisyettocome
January 7, 2011
That place looks like the very best fun. I love the way learning centres are so much more interactive than they used to be. I wish we could pile the kids into the car and join you, but I fear we’d still be there come spring. Actually….
Gerry
January 7, 2011
Exactly. This is the subtlety of Torch Lake Views. You think how nice it would be to visit. Then you find yourself making reservations at the Torch Lake Bed and Breakfast and arranging to rent a boat for the duration. Then you discover that months have gone by and there’s this nice little property for sale . . . The realtors all adore me. OK, not all of them.
Scott Thomas Photography
January 7, 2011
Just make sure you keep your electronics, credit cards and bank cards away from the magnets!
Creepy, crawly things are always a kid magnet (pun intended).
Have fun, Gerry!
Gerry
January 7, 2011
You are, of course, correct. Magnetism is often hazardous . . . !