The reaction to the changing of the guard here on the Kid’s Page was swift and, if I may use a hackneyed word, awesome: “Ur cool. i never thaught about a dad writing kids things. Keep it up. (sic)” There were other emails, but none quite as eloquent.

            It’s time for dads to stand up and take the reigns! We can plan a day out as well – or dare I say better – than our wives or significant others. While I certainly want to promote organized events in some fashion, I also want dads to take their kids to the river side to throw rocks out as far as possible. To get stuck in the mud on some half-forgotten back road just as it’s about to get dark. To play mini golf and cheat on the score together. To go fishing and catch nothing but logs, twigs and lightning bugs. We discover we’re still kids too when we do these things. And we make an indelible impression on our daughters and sons; they remember more than you imagine, I think.

            This is starting to sound preachy, and I’m not man enough to mount a soapbox about anything (except for Civil War and Lincoln trivia – if there’s anything geeky I’ve managed to latch onto, it’s those two items). So let’s proceed to the happenings, the what to do, the where, the when and maybe even the why:

 

Newburgh’s First Christian Church hosts Oklahoma!

 

Warrick County high schoolers have prepped and propped and will be ready to present the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma! July 16 through 19. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. the 16th through 18th; Sunday’s July 19 performance will be at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at www.warrickmusical.org or by calling 812-202-1287. The First Christian Church is located at 4544 Highway 261 (State Street) in Newburgh.

 

More Rodgers & Hammerstein – EVSC Summer Musical:

 

Imagining a tropical island isn’t too hard when it’s tropically hot outside, but the cool confines of The Centre will offer an even more explicit depiction of a sunny isle out in the Pacific. South Pacific will stage as the EVSC’s annual summer musical July 9 through 12, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. the 9th though 11th and a Sunday matinee performance at 2 p.m. For extra info call the Public Education Foundation at 812-422-1699 or visit www.pefevansville.org and click the “South Pacific” logo.

 

Out of town fun:

 

Is your son or daughter a budding young geologist or paleontologist? Want to take a short day trip? Check out Falls of the Ohio State Park, a place where the distant past is exposed in weathered limestone outcroppings, bluffs and flat spaces, all along the big and beautiful Ohio River.

            How old are the fossils lying embedded in the stone at the Falls? 380-some-odd millions years old, according to analysis. The fossil beds have the distinction of being the largest naturally-exposed Devonian Period fossil beds in the world.

            Views in and around the Falls area are impressive and serene. Even if you’re not into fossils and cool-looking rocks, simply picnicking in the area and enjoying the scenery make for enough enjoyment.

            But it’s the fossils that keep visitors coming back. You really have to see the limestone up close and in person to really get the stark impression that nature provides us with some wonderful, unique features. And in the case of the Falls of the Ohio, these natural wonders are virtually right in our back yard.

            Head east toward Louisville on I-64. Stay on 64 into Clarksville, Indiana and catch I-65 south toward Louisville. Take the last exit before the bridge and follow the signs. The Park is open seven days at week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Interpretive Center on site offers an in-depth educational experience about the Falls, and it’s open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1p.m. to 5 p.m.

            More information about the Park can be obtained by calling 812-280-9970.

 

More/miscellaneous:

 

Have a planted area that needs watering? Have an overheated kiddo begging for something to do? Have ‘em hook the hose up to a sprinkler head and position it near said planted area. With the hose on full-blast, you get your thirsty plants’ roots wet and your child’s feet and hands all pruney-looking. Double win.

 

Have a family-friendly event coming up? Send notice to editor@news-4u.com on or before the 15th of the month prior to the month of the event.