Linda A. Tancs's Blog: The Long and Short of It, page 16

For the Love of Baseball

By Linda Tancs

Recognized by Smithsonian Books as one of the top 20 finest baseball collections in the world, the National Ballpark Museum in Denver, Colorado, is the passion project of its curator, Bruce Hellerstein. Touted as the only museum dedicated to the older ballparks, the facility features artifacts from the original 14 classic ballparks, including vintage seats. The museum is located in LoDo (Lower Downtown) on Blake Street.

Belly of the Dragon

By Linda Tancs

Located in southern Utah near Kanab, the Belly of the Dragon is a man-made tunnel under Highway 89 designed as drainage for the upper canyons that feed into the North Fork River. The resulting flooding created undulating waves inside that arguably resemble a giant digestive tract. Although the tunnel is short, it’s susceptible to flash flooding; check weather conditions before use.

Top to Bottom in Sandpoint

By Linda Tancs

Just 60 miles from Canada, Idaho’s Sandpoint is a place you’ll enjoy from top to bottom. This time of year skiers will arrive at Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, with 2,900 acres of amazing terrain and renowned tree skiing. It overlooks Lake Pend Oreille, the state’s biggest and deepest lake. In fact, there are only four deeper lakes in the nation. The upcoming annual winter carnival is another treat, featuring the Parade of Lights, music concerts, the Let it Glow Parade and fireworks at Schweitzer.

Valley of the Flowers

By Linda Tancs

Blessed with an ideal, year-round climate, Panama’s Boquete is affectionately known as the Valley of the Flowers. Nestled in the Chiriqui Highlands, it’s adorned with masses of red and purple flowers. It’s also known for its coffee, the main industry in this region. Both the flowers and the coffee are celebrated each January during the Flower and Coffee Festival. The event features over 30,000 blooms (highlighting the prized orchid), coffee vendors and over 200 stalls with a variety of local artisans.

Winter Magic in Sugar Hill

By Linda Tancs

The sleepy mountain town of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, is beloved for its lupines and wildflowers in springtime. But winter is just as magical. You can take a guided snowmobile tour through the snow-covered landscapes or head to a quiet trail with your snowshoes. Dogsledding and sleigh rides are other options. Of course, the area is well known for its skiing, surrounded as it is by the Presidential, Franconia, Kinsman and Dalton ranges. While you’re there, don’t pass up the town’s staples, white cheddar and pancakes.

The Belfast Rail Trail

By Linda Tancs

Belfast, Maine, is a sister city to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Like its counterpart, it was once known for shipbuilding. These days, it’s a relaxing small town with a Harborwalk providing views of a shipyard that dominates the downtown waterfront. Another walking opportunity is the Belfast Rail Trail, a former railroad bed following the western bank of the Passagassawakeag River (the “Passy”). The route starts at the waterfront near the pedestrian bridge and is popular with pedestrians and bicyclists. In winter, the trail is excellent for snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing when it snows.

Three Stooges in Pennsylvania

By Linda Tancs

The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team best remembered for their short-subject films. Still entertaining audiences over 100 years since they first started performing, their fan club is one of the nation’s oldest and largest clubs. It’s headquartered at The Stoogeum, the world’s first and largest museum of Three Stooges memorabilia. Containing around 100,000 artifacts, the museum also contains a research library, a 16MM film storage vault and an 85-seat theater used for film screenings and special events. The facility is located at 904 Sheble Lane in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Visits are by appointment only.

A Grand Estate in Philadelphia

By Linda Tancs

Many of Philadelphia’s first families built their country estates on the banks of the Delaware River. One of those estates is known today as Glen Foerd, named for owner Robert Foerderer. Visiting the mansion includes access to areas on all four floors of the house, where pieces from Glen Foerd’s historic collection are on display alongside American and European art and contemporary art installations. One of the home’s prized treasures is the 121-year-old Haskell pipe organ, which was recently restored. Equally appealing are the grounds, a public park comprising 18 acres including a formal rose garden, vineyard and riverfront oaks that date back over 300 years. The estate’s entrance is at the crossroads of Grant Avenue and Milnor Street in Philadelphia.

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New Year, New Travels!

No doubt you’d like your trip planning, packing, and travel experience to be hassle-free.  My book, All You Want to Know About Travel, will guide you, step by step, on every aspect of travel planning. The book is divided into five parts. Part I discusses trip planning and preparation. Part II is your guide to travel packing and baggage information. Part III contains a discussion of air travel basics such as check-in tips, airline liability, parking and transportation, and comfort during flight. Part IV deals with your arrival and travel experience. Part V contains useful tips on navigating customs and settling back into the home routine. Throughout the book you’ll find a Chapter Overview to highlight its contents and Resources at the end of each chapter, directing you to websites for further guidance.

Available exclusively at the Lulu Bookstore: lulu.com/shop

Capitals of Culture in 2025

By Linda Tancs

In keeping with tradition, we begin the New Year with an announcement on the European Capitals of Culture for 2025: Chemnitz in Germany and Nova Gorica in Slovenia. Chemnitz is the third-largest city in the German state of Saxony after Leipzig and Dresden. Over 100 projects and 1,000 events are planned for the year. One of their flagship features is the Purple Path art and sculpture trail, an exhibition featuring over 30 international contemporary art works in public spaces. Nova Gorica is a town in western Slovenia bordering Italy. The key word for their festivities is “borderless,” a commitment to being the European Capital of Borderless Culture in partnership with the Italian town of Gorizia. Highlights include the first permanent cross-border dance ensemble in the town’s history as well as the launch of Europe’s first cross-border bee trail, an area along the border with locations where bee-friendly plants have been planted. More than 30 restaurants and bars in Gorizia and Nova Gorica have put together a menu of dishes based on honey products. 

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New Year, New Travels!

No doubt you’d like your trip planning, packing, and travel experience to be hassle-free.  My book, All You Want to Know About Travel, will guide you, step by step, on every aspect of travel planning. The book is divided into five parts. Part I discusses trip planning and preparation. Part II is your guide to travel packing and baggage information. Part III contains a discussion of air travel basics such as check-in tips, airline liability, parking and transportation, and comfort during flight. Part IV deals with your arrival and travel experience. Part V contains useful tips on navigating customs and settling back into the home routine. Throughout the book you’ll find a Chapter Overview to highlight its contents and Resources at the end of each chapter, directing you to websites for further guidance.

Available exclusively at the Lulu Bookstore: lulu.com/shop

Art Without Boundaries

By Linda Tancs

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is a museum in a converted Arnold Print Works factory building complex located in North Adams, Massachusetts. Listed in the National Historic Register, 25 of the site’s current 26 buildings were constructed by the late 19th century by the factory, once one of the world’s leading producers of printed textiles. The venue boasts an elaborate system of interlocking courtyards and passageways rich with historical association. The vast campus allows the presentation of art without boundaries, featuring an array of music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography and theater as well as works that defy classification. The facility celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year.