Parchment Paths

  I had a wonderful time at one of my favorite places this past weekend, you guessed it, the Pennsylvania Renaissance  Faire.  Even though I've been numrouse other times, this was the first time I took kids. My five year old nephew and my three old niece went along. Even though my nephew changed his mind last minute aobut the pyrate costume I'd made him and my neice had a few crying fits, all in all, they had a great day. I had printed the schedule of the website before hand and had highlighted some children's shows, but I leanred to moslty go with the flow, what we walked up to, what they wanted to do. My dad took over watching them a few times while I met up wtih some freinds, and he did the same thing. It seemed to go fairly smoothly. Yes, I wished they'd interacted more wtih the cast, yes, I wish we'd done more shows and activites, but over all I'm jsut pleased they had a new and fun experiance. They both asked to go back and I couldn't be happier.

Even though some people are horrified with the concept of zoos, I've decided I don't mind them so much as long as the animal's enclosure look and feel like their natural habitat and are well fed and cared for. That being said, last month, my father and I took me nephew and niece to Claws N Paws . I had gone several years ago for elementary school field trips, but hadn't been back since then. I still enjoyed it, though if I was zoo going with other adults, I may pick a larger one, just because this one is geared more toward children. However, since the trip was all about my five year old nephew and my two year old niece, it was perfect! My dad and I thought it was a bit hard to find, as the entrance is on a very, very rural road and the sign is rather old and hidden by some overgrown trees. The zoo is out in the woods, which provides a nice setting as most of the zoo is shaded by the trees. The ground is not paved which gives the place a very natural feel, but could po

By Emily Culley, Abington Journal Correspondent Sep 5   The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, located about two and half hours away from the Scranton area, in the town of Manheim, is a recreation of 16th century villages or shires as they are called in England, complete with shops, gardens, stage areas and eateries. The jousting arena is complete with horses racing, lances colliding and the roars of the crowd, cheering their knight on to victory. The Faire continues every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 28. Each weekend has a theme with entertainment and activities to match, such as a treasure hunt for the Pirate Invasion weekend, Sept. 15-17 and costume contests for the Halloween Daze and Spooky Knights weekends, the last three weekends of October. New this season is the Time Travelers weekend, Aug. 11- 12, which gives fans of Steampunk and science fiction a chance to showcase costumes. Most of the roads and paths are paved and handicapped accessible throughout, for