Magic Tree: Columbia, Missouri

The Magic Tree

Will Treelighter as been lighting a crab apple tree in Columbia, Missouri, since 1995.  He wraps every branch with lights. Every season his design becomes more elaborate. So many people came to see the tree that in 2010 it's location was moved to a central location rather than keeping it in a neighborhood.

I was taking one of my students home after she had helped me get the classroom ready for January.  She wanted me to drive by the tree.  Since I had only heard of it, and had no clue how to get there, I agreed.  What a magical tree it is.  After dropping off my scholar, I meandered my way back to the tree and got out to explore. 

Click here to learn more about Columbia's Magic Tree.

Columbia

Places I want to visit in Columbia, Missouri.

Buck's Ice Cream Palor 

More fun things to do in Columbia

Northland Fountain

That fountain, you know the one that is turned blue for the Royals home opener, the one by North Oak and Vivion, it has a name: Northland Fountain.  Sometimes it is referred to as "The Spirit of Cooperation." This is because both corporate, public, and private monies were donated for the creation of this fountain in 1983. Farmland contributed $30, 000 while a school child contributed three cents.

Because it is one of a few fountains that run year round, during the winter months The Spirit of Cooperation forms a beautiful ice sculpture. At the base the fountain is 80' feet in diameter.  The center geyser can shoot water 35' feet into the air.

So after spending some time at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, I continued my trek to the fountain.  I have always wanted to walk up to it and just stare at the ice.  (Yes, simple things do capture my mind.) This spring or summer, I want to go back and explore around the Anita B. Gorman Park when green grass has replaced the snow.  The hues of blue and green in the transparent ice were breath taking.

Ideas for Children:

• Remind children that unless otherwise posted, one does put any part of his/her body in the fountain.
• This is a great time to talk about angles, area, circumference, and volume.
• Walk around the fountain. How many feet around do you think it is? (80')  Was that more or less than you expected?
• What is the diameter? What is the area? Using the height of the center geyser, what would the volume of an imaginary upside down cone be?
• Count the geysers. Estimate what angle at which they shoot out at?
• Ask questions: Would this ice sculpture stay if they turned off the water? How many gallons of water do you think it takes for the fountain to run?
• How might the fountains geysers be picturing the fountain's nickname, "The Spirit of Cooperation"?  How could you apply this to your life?
• Take time to draw the fountain.
• If you have a chemistry kit, take a sample and test the water.
• During good weather, take a picnic lunch and enjoy.

Learn more about the Northland Fountain. 

Clay County Veterans Memorial

Not knowing what one may find is part of any adventure.  I have always wanted to see up close the fountain by North Oak Trafficway and Vivion instead of just whizzing by at 35 miles and hour. So that was going to be my weekly adventure. Finding a place to park was the first hurtle, but thankfully I found a lot with several spaces cleared of ice and snow. I was coming from school and ill-prepared to walk through snow, but three hundred yards of snow and ice was not going to keep me from my goal.  So I thankfully followed others' footprints and happened upon my first unexpected find.

For years, I have driven on Vivion numerous times, but never knew about the Clay County Veterans' Memorial. Located in the Anita B. Gorman Park (yes, the park does have a name) near Vivion and North Oak Trafficway this memorial was erected to honor residents of Clay County, Missouri that died in military action.  Names of Veterans from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Iraq grace the black marble. I pondered as I read the names, "I wonder what stories these men and women could tell?  What would they want to future generations to remember most?"  There is space left to write names of fallen heroes of future conflicts.

Sovereign Wings is the bronze eagle sculpture in the center of the memorial.  What is this piece of art to symbolize?  Yes, everyone can have their own interpretation of art, but I do think that there was an original purpose. The bald eagle is our national bird. Sovereign Wings looks as if it is about to take flight. Perhaps it is the hope, that as a nation, we will soar beyond the present conflicts but always be constantly vigil. I was reminded of Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

In between the marble plaques listing the fallen heroes names where inspirational quotes and a Bible verse.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. John 15:13

To Remember. To Heal. To Honor. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. ~Thomas Campbell

Below each quote someone had laid a wreath and drawn a heart in the snow.  If you look closely, you might still be able to see it.



Ideas of things to do with children:

• Teach proper behaviors for visiting an outdoor memorial. (In the car three blocks away is a good place too.)
• Talk about the the meaning of sacrifice, honor, respect, duty, service, POW, MIA, ect.
• Relate a quick story of family history to one of the wars. 
• Explain that every person's name that is etched on this wall died to protect our country.
• Find a relative's name if you know he or she is listed there.
• Encourage child to find his/her name, names that are alike, names of friends, names that start with a certain letter. 
• Say a prayer for all of those who are currently serving.
• Find the punctuation error.  Hint: There is a semicolon that should be a colon.
• Identify the three flags. (There might be four flying) Encourage kiddos to tell the meanings the flags.
• Make a rubbing.
• Allow older children to bring a sketch book to draw part of the memorial or to write down a quote, name, or an idea that comes to their mind.
• Encourage your child to read a quote and then ask them what they think it means.  Why would someone think that sentence was so important to put here?  How does the quote help us better understand?
•  Ask your child questions.  Why do you think this sculpture of an eagle is here? What does this remind you of?

National World War I Museum



For years I have wanted to visit the Liberty Memorial and go up in the tower.  Due to weather that was not an option last Monday, so I will be going back when the weather is a bit "springier." The museum is excellent! You walk into the main exhibit hall over a transparent bridge where you can look down and see 9,000 poppies.  Each silk flower represents 1,000 soldiers killed. I was very impressed with the concise descriptions and the larger font used to describe the displays.  As a child I remember being BORED going through a museum because the print was small and there was not enough "stuff" to look at while the adults read.  However, the curators at the National World War One Museum have diligently worked to keep the interest of all patrons. All the senses are incorporated.  Some exhibits are interactive. I would not hesitate to take fifth grade students or above on a field trip here after they had studied The Great War. If on a family outing, you take time to make history come alive and don't have the propensity to tarry at any one exhibit long; even younger elementary children would gain exposure to new ideas that they would later build on in school.  Please check back later for a children's checklist and an advanced organizer. This was a great outing!

Website: National World War I Museum



Over There
by Cohan

Kansas City