March 2006 Issue

All Abuzz!
There comes a point when some poor thing seems so down trodden - as if the fates conspired at its birth to make life unfair - that you just have to root for its success. Take, for example, the turkey vulture. If there exists a caste system in the world of birds, this one is surely on the bottom rung. It's not enough that the buzzard was born a scavenger, consigned to feed mostly on dead animals. (You can practically see the scorn: the buzzard happily nibbling on roadkill on the side of some dusty byway,...

Hometown Chips
There's something about potato chips. The concept is simple: spuds sliced paper thin, deep fried until crispy and sprinkled with salt. We love them, and love to blame them for our dietary woes. They are a guilty pleasure and the bane of every calorie counter. Despite their designation as "junk food," potato chips are the No. 1 snack in this country, and the must-have munchy for parties and picnics. Here in the United States, we consume an average of seven pounds per person, per year. And while the big n...

Splish Splash
No matter how many times they've been through it already, the heavy metal clang of the ship's bell immediately draws a swarm of swimsuit-clad children to the base of Fort Mackenzie - a four-story jungle gym bristling with water guns - huddling together for the best opportunity to get drenched. The payoff comes a few seconds after the bell begins to sound: the giant bucket at the top of the structure dumps 1,000 gallons of water on the youngsters gathered below, triggering shrieks and screams and giggles...

Springtime Frame of Mind
Bringing in the Birds Ron Bowerman, a naturalist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, normally tells people to dress in layers for his popular bird walks. "But who knows," he says, noting our state's fickle March weather. "They may need bikinis." He leads the Van Buren Audubon Bird Walkers' Spring Migration Kick Off on March 18 at Van Buren State Park for an identification of the arriving warblers, kinglets and other birds. 12259 Township Rd. 218, Van Buren. Call 419/832-7662 for details. This...

Sun Soaked Serrenity
With a combination of warm ocean breezes, scenic seaside golf courses and endless opportunities for adventure, the Carolina coast  holds the cure for any lingering winter blahs. So, pack your bags and point the compass southeast. From North Carolina's Outer Banks to South Carolina's Hilton Head Island, you'll find a reason to escape the mundane and reinvigorate your spirit. Whether it's swimming and shelling or sightseeing and shopping, you'll find the perfect escape along the Carolina shore. Many ...