New museums, interpretive centers, nature centers, zoos, and other interpretive sites often worry about having a “wow” factor – something big and splashy and attention-getting that will cause visitors to stop in their tracks and later say to their friends, “that place had a sensational (fill in the blank here – could be building, exhibit,Continue reading “Worrying About the Wow”
Author Archives: heartfeltassociates
The Kigali Memorial Centre in Rwanda
George Bernard Shaw wrote “If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience.” Museums of social conscience around the world remind us of tragic human errors in hopes we will remember and behave differently in the future. We just returned from eighteen days working in RwandaContinue reading “The Kigali Memorial Centre in Rwanda”
In a Word – Ubuntu
Our words define us in many ways. As I write this, we are in Kigali, Rwanda, doing work and being inspired by the people and the wildlife we’ve seen on our travels around the country. This evening, I noticed a Facebook post by Michael Barth regarding the word, “Ubuntu.” I went to Wikipedia andContinue reading “In a Word – Ubuntu”
Advance Organizers
Much of what we do in life, travel and tourism is about expectations. About twenty years ago, I was leading an ecotour in Belize. I had two very unhappy ladies at a four-star resort, who could not believe there was no bathmat in their room. The food was great, the rooms were beautiful, the bedsContinue reading “Advance Organizers”
A Place to Play
Last weekend we visited Vandalia, Illinois, where I was raised. My old house is no longer there, but the memories remain. As we drove down eighth street, my mind drifted to summer evenings playing Kick the Can in the street. Some of my neighborhood friends from the 50s were at the all-class reunion, anotherContinue reading “A Place to Play”
Fighting Complacency
Travel is not only broadening I’ve realized, but burdening too. I carry these lives and places with me but I’m grateful for the ballast. It’s keeping me from tipping into total complacency. Judith Stone It’s been almost ten years since I saw my first wild elephants in Kenya. They took my breath away. Having only beenContinue reading “Fighting Complacency”
The Sustainable Living Fair 2012
Each September the Sustainable Living Fair is held in Fort Collins. We look forward to it. It is one of those organic events that appeal to lots of different kinds of folks. You can wander down the bike trail and then walk the last hundred yards to the entry gate or drive and park inContinue reading “The Sustainable Living Fair 2012”
If The Plants Could Talk –
Actually the plants, the landscaping and the grounds do talk. How we plan and care for the landscape at nature centers, zoos, museums, aquariums and communities tell our audience more than we think. We see organizations that interpret nature, history and anthropology whose buildings have the same landscaping as the mall nearby or an urbanContinue reading “If The Plants Could Talk –”
My Fantasy Reality Show – Ranger 2.0
I have never played Fantasy Football and would not know how to start. I do watch some reality shows on TV (American Idol, The Amazing Race, America’s Got Talent, The Voice, Survivor) and that has led to my own fantasies about a new reality show, Ranger 2.0 . The premise is to take unemployed youngContinue reading “My Fantasy Reality Show – Ranger 2.0”
Long’s Peak Scottish-Irish Festival
We went to the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Festival this past Saturday in Estes Park, Colorado. We both have some family connections to Celtic lineages, but would have gone if it had been an Icelandic Festival. We like outdoor events and we’re always curious about how they are managed, since we have run large events andContinue reading “Long’s Peak Scottish-Irish Festival”
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