What To Do: Love is in the air

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

Valentine’s Day 2022 is on February 14.

That means that married couples, lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends, boos, boyfriends and boyfriends, engaged couples, girlfriends and girlfriends, sweethearts and event pet owners and their pets will be celebrating the annual romantic holiday this weekend – and celebrating some more on February 14.

On February 12 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org) will host its 2020 edition of “Victorine’s Valentine Day”.

Victorine’s party will be held at Blacksmith Hill, the restored 19th-century workers’ community where the lives of the du Ponts and the people who worked for their company connected.

Here lived a woman named Victorine du Pont Bauduy (1792-1861), the eldest daughter of the DuPont Company founder. During Victorine’s Valentine Day, “Victorine” will tell her story, as well as other love stories from the 19th century.

Victorine was the daughter of E. I. du Pont, who built the mills on the Brandywine. She fell in love with Ferdinand Bauduy, the son of E. I.’s business partner. E. I. opposed the marriage, believing the couple was too young to be married.

Ferdinand moved to France for two years, during which time Victorine pined for him. After two years, E. I. relented, and the young couple joyfully married in 1813.

Tragically, 11 weeks after their marriage, Bauduy became ill and passed away. Victorine was heartbroken, but after a long period of grief, she found a new passion in her life. Victorine threw herself into teaching at the Brandywine Manufacturers’ Sunday School. She remained the superintendent until her death in 1861.

In addition to the telling of Victorine’s story, the event will feature other activities.

Visitors will be able to make a Valentine’s Day card using the scrap method popular in the Victorian era, wrap a candy bar with their own design to give as a gift to that special someone, and get creative at the hot cocoa bar with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and other tasty treats.

Participants will also be able to meet Victorine and learn a bit about her life. Another special activity will be using a quill pen to write valentine verses.

Admission to Hagley Museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and $6 for children (ages 6-14). Victorine’s Valentine activities are included with regular admission.

Valentine’s Day and chocolates have been a match made in heaven for a long time. Not surprisingly, Valentine’s Day is in the top four for holiday candy sales.

If you’re wondering how the top four fare against each other, you might be surprised at the answer. Easter is first with Christmas not far behind. Valentine’s Day is back a little in third with Halloween a close fourth.

The romantic holiday is just a few days away and wine-loving chocoholics have been – and will be — celebrating all month.

The Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, www.chaddsford.com) will host Wine & Chocolate Reserve Tastings every Saturday and Sunday in February.

Visitors can enjoy stops at stations featuring locally crafted artisan chocolates from Éclat Chocolate carefully paired with the winery’s award-winning wines.

The pairing lineup is 2019 Sparkling White with Grapefruit Patê de Fruite, 2021 Artisan Series Dry Rosé with Lavender Truffle, 2019 Artisan Series Rise / Run paired with Coffee and Cardamom Bar, good vibes only with Tahitian Vanilla Truffle, and Niagara with Pear Caramel Truffle.

Sessions will be offered throughout the day at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.  During the session, Chaddsford Winery staff will lead guests through an educational pairing while providing interesting facts about the featured wines and chocolates.

Advanced tickets are $35 per person, and space is limited. Advanced reservations are required and are non-refundable.

Guests under 21 years old are not permitted to attend a Reserve Tasting. Outside food is not permitted during this program.

Harvest Ridge Winery (1140 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, harvestridgewinery.com) is presenting a Valentine’s Day” music show this weekend.

On February 12, live music will pe performed at the winery by AJ Love.

The show, which is titled, “AJ Love Live Music,” will run from 1-3 p.m.

The “Wine and Chocolate Pairings” at Penns Wood Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, http://www.pennswoodsevents.com) will be held every Saturday and Sunday in February.

In addition to its regular tastings, the winery is offering special tastings to celebrate February because February is the month of wine, chocolate, romance and fun.

Penns Wood is adding new and exciting items to its wine and chocolate pairings this year featuring its wines carefully paired with local chocolate treats.

Tickets cost $36 per person in advance and reservations are required.

The Berks County Wine Trail (www.berkscountywinetrail.com) will present “Chocolate & Wine Pairing Event Weekends” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The event is scheduled for February 12, 13, 19 and 20 from noon-5 p.m. each day.

Visitors can toast Valentines’ Day during two sweet weekends on the wine trail sampling sumptuous chocolates and confections paired with featured wines of the region. They can visit each of the 11 participating wineries along the Berks County Wine Trail to determine their favorite pairing combo.

The list of wineries and featured tastings includes: Deerfoot Winery (Shoemakersville); Stone Barn Cellars (Spring City); Manatawny Creek Winery (Douglassville); Kog Hill Winery (Morgantown); Long Trout Winery (Auburn); Stoudt’s Winery (Shartlesville); Setter Ridge Vineyards (Kutztown); Stonekeep Meadery (Fleetwood); Lily’s Winery & Vineyard (Reading); Weathered Vineyards (New Tripoli); and Ridgewood Winery (Birdsboro).

Tickets are $10 and are good for all four event days.

Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) is getting into the romantic holiday spirit with a special “Valentine’s Day Brunch” on February 12 and 13.

The event, which will run from 10 a.m.-1:30 both days, features a tasty brunch and an an animal meet and greet.

Participants can share a romantic Valentine’s Brunch with their significant others in the zoo’s Canopy Gardens Hall. Guests who would prefer some quality alone time to enjoy their brunch can send their children (ages 4+) to the zoo’s fun and educational animal workshop.

There are three brunch sessions each day – 10 and 11:15 am. and 12:30 p.m.

The menu includes Ham, Carved Sirloin Strip Steak, Sausage, Turkey Sausage, Red Bliss Potatoes, Waffle Bar with Fried Chicken, Vegetable Lasagna, Mac and Cheese Shells, Omelette Bar, Scrambled Eggs, Quiche, Dessert Cart, Danish, Cinnamon Buns, Orange Juice, Milk and Coffee.

Tickets, which start at $89.95 for a table of two, include brunch, admission to the zoo, and an animal greet.

The zoo is also offering a special attraction for its canine friends.

The Zoo is hosting several of its ultra-popular “Dog Days” over the next week.

The Zoo’s “Dog Days” event will be held on February 11, 13 and 16 from noon-4 p.m. each day.

All guests visiting the zoo with a furry friend must complete an online waiver and submit required documents before visiting the zoo. You must upload a copy of your most recent veterinary visit, including proof of vaccine and heartworm test here. All items will be required for you to attend “Dog Days.”

Pricing is $10.95 per dog with each additional dog at $9.95. Regular zoo admission is required for all humans.

“Elmo’s Furry Fun Fest” at Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) is happening every weekend now through March 20 with this weekend’s focus on “My Fuzzy Valentine’s Celebration.”

Guests are invited to visit the park to enjoy an event series during “Elmo’s Furry Fun Fest,” a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends live and in-person at the amusement park in Langhorne.

This weekend’s special attraction is “My Fuzzy Valentine’s Celebration” on February 12 and 13.

Every weekend through March, visitors can celebrate treat little loves to a fun day during the “My Fuzzy Valentine’s Celebration,” let the good times roll during the family-friendly “Mardi Gras Celebration,” experience the park’s “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration,” and wish Big Bird a Happy Birthday during his Birthday Weekend.

Activities include a riding on the Sunny Day Carousel, dancing and grooving during at the “Furry Friends Dance Party,” watching “Elmo the Musical, LIVE!” and having fun at the always popular Mini Parades.

The schedule features “My Fuzzy Valentine’s Celebration” on February 12 and 13, “Mardi Gras Celebration” on February 19, 20, 26 and 27, “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” on March 5, 6, 12 and 13, and “Big Bird’s Birthday Pajama Party” on March 19 and 20.

The park will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays now through March 20 along with February 21.

If you’re looking for another out-of-the-ordinary way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, you might want to consider taking part in the “Sweetheart Skate” at the Blue Cross RiverRink (Market Street at the Delaware River, Philadelphia, www.riverrink.com).

“Sweetheart Skate” is slated for February 14 at the outdoor rink with skating sessions from 7-11 p.m.

The event’s focus is providing a suitable atmosphere for guests to skate with their special someone and RiverRink features one of the most romantic settings in the city.

Participants in “Sweetheart Skate” will be able to enjoy flowers, slow jams by Deejay007, boardwalk games, rides, cozy cabins, firepits and “favorite lovey-dovey films” in the Lodge.

Tickets, which are $25 per person, include skating admission, skate rental, a single rose, and a keepsake photo Old City Photo Booth.

Unlike most of the suburban ice rinks, RiverRink features public skating. Ice skating is the only use of the ice. This winter, RiverRink takes the ice-skating experience on the Delaware River waterfront to another level by once again transforming the annual rink into a bona fide winter wonderland.

For 28 seasons, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite Winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River, complete with comforting warming cabins, physically distanced fire pit stations, games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and refreshing drinks, the signature holiday tree and — of course — ice skating on an NHL-sized rink.

Another ice skating option in downtown Philadelphia is Center City Parks District’s Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http://ccdparks.org/dilworth-park).

It is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia’s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.

The Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, www.colebrookdalerailroad.com) is running its “Valentine’s Day — Romance on the Rails” excursions on February 11, 12, 13 and 14.

The Edwardian splendor of the Secret Valley Expedition will surely kindle romantic fires as the train journeys into the night. The rail line has taken care of all of the details so that you and your love can sit back, relax, and let the world fade away as you focus on each other. This Valentine’s Day do something different — get aboard a 1920’s era train and enjoy a hand prepared meal as you leisurely wind your way through the Secret Valley.

The dinner menu starts with a garden salad of mixed greens and seasonal veggies. The main course will be a choice of a beef burgundy over bowtie pasta or pasta primavera. For children onboard, the menu features chicken fingers with macaroni and cheese. Beverage options are coffee, tea, soda, wine or beer. There will also be a tasty dessert to cap off the meal.

For those who want to ride in the evening but are not interested in dinner, there are first class accommodations in the Parlor Car which include a complimentary adult beverage, light hors d’oeuvres tapas plate and dessert.

All ticketed passengers will receive complimentary chocolates and a flower as a thank you for spending Valentine’s Day with the Colebrookdale Railroad.

Fares vary based upon meal options. Departure time for all six excursions is 6 p.m.

The New Hope Railroad (32 West Bridge St, New Hope, 215- 862-2332, www.newhoperailroad.com) offers its annual “Romantic Valentine’s Excursion” this weekend.

Riders can take a step back in time and experience the romantic luxury of America’s railroads in premium turn-of-the-century Parlor cars for an intimate 60-minute excursion through the foothills of beautiful Bucks County.

During the trip, they can enjoy table-seated comfort while sampling light fare served by knowledgeable Parlor Car attendants. Each couple will receive a lush sweet and savory charcuterie spread, a long-stemmed red rose, and a takeaway to share later. Guests over 21 years of age will also receive a flight of hand-crafted demi cocktails to sample and pair with the spread.

The excursions will run at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. on February 12 and 13.

Fares start at $96.99.

The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its “Sweetheart Special Valentine’s Excursion” on February 12 at 1 p.m. – providing riders with an opportunity to cozy up for a unique, memorable date.

The “Sweetheart Special” will take passengers to Glen Rock and back – allowing them to take in views of the scenic Heritage Rail Trail County Park.

Each couple will be able to choose a complimentary gift of wine or chocolate, which will be available in the station after the excursion.

Tickets prices are — Adults (13 and older): $35; Children (3-13): Toddler (in lap): Free. Riders must be 21 or older and present valid ID for wine.

The coaches are pushed and pulled by the rail line’s our vintage PRR GP9 Diesel Locomotive, built-in 1959.

This is a 1-hour excursion. Tickets will be printed and available for pick up at the ticket booth on the day of the excursion.

Riders are advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to boarding.

Model trains will also be featured at a special event this weekend.

A huge selection of model trains and toys will be on display and available for sale when Greenberg’s Train & Toy Show visits the area for a two-day stop at the Chase Center on the Riverfront(815 Justison Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 630- 279-4087, www.greenbergshows.com).

The show, which is scheduled for February 12 and 13 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, will have a wide variety of toys for sale — space toys, Thomas the Tank Engine items, dolls, collectible bears, Barbie, Matchbox, action figures, die-cast models, wrestling stars, Pokemon figures and much more.

And there will be an amazing exhibit of toy trains.

The event will feature a number of operating train displays, including New Jersey Southern N-Trak’s 26×38 N Scale Layout and Railroad in a Box’s 10 x 20 HO Scale Layout.
‍This weekend’s show will also offer free workshops and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics, including track work, using accessories and using a digital command control. There will be a large array of dealers with toys, trains, accessories and hobby publications. Other features include door prizes giveaways.

Tickets for adults are $11 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday. Tickets are good for both days. Children (12 and under) are admitted free.

Visitors to Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) during the next two months will be able to immerse themselves in a winter wonderland.

Now through March 27, Longwood Gardens will celebrate a winter wonderland with a special attraction called “Winter Wonder.”

In the past, Longwood Gardens was always a great place to go from January to April to escape the harshness of winter. Guests could enjoy an amazing array of flowering plants inside the lush and nicely heated Conservatory.

That has stayed the same this year and “Winter Wonder” adds a new dimension.

Outdoors, winter’s subdued beauty illustrates how plants can be used for both aesthetic and habitat benefit. Visitors can stroll among the serene landscape of the Hillside Garden or reflect among a symphony of copper and umber hues in the 86-acre Meadow Garden.

Although subdued colors reign, the occasional burst of bright yellow and orange of blooming witch-hazel dots the landscape, while winter grasses add a textural element.

Even though winter is a time of dormancy for many plants, it is also a time when plants’ different characteristics are on display – characteristics such as bark patterns, seed pods and ornamental fruit.

Wintertime allows the clear details of the garden to come forward and highlights the harmony that a garden builds with its surrounding landscape. The clear light of winter enhances the finer details of the outdoor landscape, from deciduous trees holding onto their late winter leaves to the brown-toned structures of summer-flowering perennials set against a blue winter sky.

Indoors, there is always the Conservatory.

This winter, visitors can experience a warm, colorful oasis in Longwood’s grand Conservatory. Vibrant Streptocarpus ‘Concord Blue’ baskets float above, pink and purple Saintpaulia (African-violets) delight, and tall Clerodendrum schmidtii (chains-of-glory) stun.

From beds of coral Cymbidium to a dedicated area showcasing highlights from the site’s vast collection, guests will be able to find hundreds of orchids in spectacular bloom.

January marked the return of performances to the Conservatory featuring a lineup of artists from audience favorites to new talent, all bringing a world of music to the ever-changing beauty of the Conservatory.

In early March, Longwood’s famed blue poppy (Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’) returns to the Conservatory. These spectacular flowers—which are native to the high elevations of the Himalayan Mountains— are grown using precise techniques to force the blue-poppies to flower in March. The substantial petals are a mesmerizing sky-blue color.

Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will have two special events this weekend.

On February 12, Laurel Hill Cemetery will present “Hot Spots and Storied Plots” walking tour at 10 a.m.  and the “’Til Death Do Us Part: Love Stories of Laurel Hill Walking Tour” on February 12 from 1-3 p.m.

In life and in death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead?

This tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill’s long history, which includes many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories about Laurel Hill.

“Hot Spots and Storied Plots” is the perfect introduction for anyone who enjoys beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history. An experienced graveyard guide will offer a unique perspective. No two “Hot Spots and Storied Plots” are alike.

The tour will take place on February 12 at 10 a.m. The Tour Guide will be Guenevere Eckert.

Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are: $12/General Admission, $10/Seniors (65 & up), $10/Students with ID, $7/Members, $6/Youth (6-12), and $0/Child (5 & Under). Youth and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The other special event will be the “’Til Death Do Us Part: Love Stories of Laurel Hill Walking Tour.”

This wintertime walking tour was inspired by the little-known story of a little-known woman whose heart lies buried beneath the cemetery’s earth.

Participants can learn about her final symbolic gesture and other tales of love as varied as the souls from which they transpired.

Tickets include specialty chocolate from Mueller Chocolate Company.

The Tour Guide will be Gwen Kaminski and tour capacity is 50.

Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are: $20/General Admission, $17/Seniors (65 & up) and Students with ID, $15/Members, $7.50/Youth (6-12), and $0/Child (5 & Under). Youth and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.

The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”

Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $18.

The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $18.

February is African American History Month and the National Constitution Center National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, 215-409-6700,www.constitutioncenter.org) is honoring it with a number of special events and attractions that are running now through the end of February.

During the month of February, the National Constitution Center will pay tribute to the achievements and the courageous sacrifices made by African Americans throughout history as they strived to become recognized as an integral part of “We the People.”

The National Constitution Center will honor that milestone all month long with special educational programs and performances in conjunction with the new Civil War and Reconstruction exhibit, including “The Road to Freedom” show.

Visitors can also take a self-guided tour of the museum’s The Story of We the People exhibit to discover key milestones in African American history, and then test their knowledge at the Center’s giant game board activity.

Activities at the Center will feature interactive programming designed for visitors of all ages, including “Decoding the Document: Emancipation Proclamation Document Workshop,”

Visitors can take a closer look at the museum’s rare printing of the Emancipation Proclamation to learn more about its history, the history of the Civil War, and the background of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

On the “Self-Guided African American History Tour”, visitors can tour the Center’s main exhibition “The Story of We the People” and discover important moments in African American history through historical artifacts.

Now through March 31, visitors can enjoy discounted admission of $10 for adults (usually $14.50) and $7.50 for youth ages 6-18 (usually $11).

Throughout the month of February, the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, historicphiladelphia.org) will offer free programming on weekends celebrating the contributions Black Americans have made throughout our nation’s history.

On February 12, 19 and 26 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, the program will be “Meet Rev. Richard Allen.”

Reverend Allen was a minister, educator, writer, and one of America’s most active and influential Black leaders. In 1794, he founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the first independent Black denomination in the United States and opened its first church here in Philadelphia.  Visitors can hear about his journey from enslaved person to powerful religious leader and abolitionist.

The events on February 13, 20 and 27 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day will be “Once Upon A Nation Storytelling.”

The Betsy Ross House’s award-winning storytellers will share short, interactive and little-known tales about Black Americans through history.

Now through April 10, the Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford, www.brandywine.org) is presenting its latest exhibition, “Wayne Thiebaud 100: Paintings, Prints, and Drawings.”

Highlighting the full range of this iconic American artist’s work made over 70 years, the exhibition features a spectacular selection of his paintings, watercolors and prints.

Created on the occasion of Thiebaud’s 100th birthday, the exhibition now also serves as a fitting tribute to his remarkable career following the artist’s recent death on December 25, 2021. Drawn from the collection of the Thiebaud family and foundation, as well as from the Crocker Art Museum’s rich holdings, the retrospective includes works from every period of the artist’s long career — including many that have never been shown publicly.

The exhibition also includes the artist’s newest body of work — circus clowns — revealing his extraordinary and expansive practice over seven decades.

Spanning two floors of galleries in the Museum’s historic Mill, this exhibition at the Brandywine will allow visitors to appreciate the totality of Thiebaud’s artistic vision and the rich sensations he infused into all his work.

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue chronicling the artist’s visual journey and artistic influences.

The Brandywine River Museum of Art features an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th-century Mill building with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine.

Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 65 and over, $6 for students and children ages 6 and up; free for children 5 and younger.

The American Swedish Historical Museum (1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-389-1776, http://www.americanswedish.org) just opened a new exhibition – “Tattoo: Identity Through Ink.”

For more than 5,000 years, tattoos have helped document the history of humanity one painful mark at a time. “Tattoo: Identity Through Ink” tells the story of why people have adorned their bodies with tattoos, from practices in Indigenous cultures to sailors in the 19th century to motorcycle gangs in the 1960s, to athletes and celebrities today.

The exhibition, which runs through May 1, showcases the last 150 years of tattooing in America, from the sideshows in the early part of the 20th century to modern celebrity tattoos.

A highlight of this exhibition is the story of influential tattoo artist Amund Dietzel, a Norwegian immigrant who became one of the most important tattoo artists of his time. Dietzel, known as the “Master of Milwaukee,” rose to fame throughout America’s circuses and sideshows and would go on to open a shop in Milwaukee.

At 14, Dietzel got his first tattoo to commemorate his time at sea as a sailor – an anchor on his left hand between his thumb and forefinger. This later inspired his travels around North America, where he tattooed lumberjacks, sailors, and merchant marines.

The exhibit is curated by renowned anthropologist Dr. Lars Krutak, a Research Associate at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In this exhibition, Krutak shares his ongoing journey to understand how ancient and more contemporary tattoos “make” the people who wear them.

Now through April 17, the Delaware Museum of Art (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, delart.org) is presenting “Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame: Celebrating 40 Years,” an exhibition of portraits of outstanding women from across the state.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the prestigious award, the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy commissioned Delaware artist Theresa Walton to create portraits of every woman inducted. The exhibition celebrates the tremendous achievement of women from across the state in a variety of professional fields.

Portraits of Hall of Fame inductees include, former Governor Ruth Ann Minner, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Delaware Children’s Theatre founder Marie Swajeski, educators Dr. Jill Biden and Dr. Reba Hollingsworth, and community leader Maria Matos, among others.

Admission is $14 for adults, $7 for students, $6 for youth (ages 7-18) and free for children (6 and under).

The Morris Arboretum (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-247-5777, http://www.morrisarboretum.org) is presenting its “Witchhazels Tour” on February 12 at 11 a.m.

The Morris Arboretum “Witchhazel Collection” is one of the largest in the country.

Participants will meet at Widener Visitor Center and join an experienced guide to discover many varieties of these delightful winter beauties that add surprising bursts of color and fragrance to the winter landscape.

The activity will be held “Weather Permitting” and is included with admission.

Morris Arboretum will also present its weekly Garden Highlights Tour starting at Widener Visitor Center at 1 p.m. weather permitting.

The arboretum’s knowledgeable guides will design a tour around the interests of the attendees. As a result, every tour is different.

After nearly two years, Berks Nature (575 St. Bernardine Street, Reading, www.berksnature.org) is re-opening the doors of The Nature Place…with a few exciting changes such as “The Rookery” (The Nature Place’s new rooftop addition and classroom.

The “Grand Re-Opening” is scheduled for February 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

At the event, visitors will be able to roast s’mores in the site’s new outdoor fireplace and sip hot cocoa as they tour The Rookery.

Reading’s nature center is nestled within the nearly 100 scenic acres of Angelica Creek Park. Visitors can take a stroll through the dog-friendly wetland trails, get their hands dirty in the teaching and demonstration gardens, and let their imagination run free in the Nature Play Zone.

Starting in February 2022, there are even more ways enjoy and celebrate nature at The Nature Place – stop by The Nature Place’s newly stocked Nature Store, enjoy updated apparel designs for shirts, hoodies, and hats, bring sustainability home by shopping its inventory of sustainable living items including local honey.

If you’re looking for a fun family activity – an indoor activity unaffected by the weather — Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com) has something just for you — the miniature golf course “Fore! the Planet.”

Linvilla Orchard’s “Fore! The Planet” is a highly interactive and playful museum exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. This exhibition pairs important environmental issues with the fun of miniature golf.

It features 18 unique educational holes on a variety of topics — butterfly metamorphosis, a tropical rainforest, evolution, dinosaur extinction, food chains and more. Kids of all ages can enjoy playing miniature golf while learning about our environment on every hole.

The first hole is “Butterfly Life Cycle” and players must putt through each stage of the colorful insect’s metamorphosis. The next five holes are titled “Seed Dispersal,” “Bat Sonar,” “Food Chain,” “Evolution of a Golfer” and “Backyard Explorer” followed by “Natural Selection” and “Predators and Prey.”

On the “Dinosaur Extinction” hole, players get to hit their balls toward the scientific theory of dinosaur extinction they find most plausible. The remainder of the thought-provoking holes are “Recycling,” “Water Pollution,” “Landfills,” “Wild Corridors,” “Bird Migration,” “Spawning Salmon,” “Alien Species,” “Population Threats” and “Rainforest Threats.”

The mini-course is open daily from 9 a.m. through March 27. Tickets are $7.

This Saturday and every Saturday during the winter, the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard (1124 East Seventh Street, Wilmington, Delaware, www.kalmarnyckel.org) is hosting “Winter Ship Tours” of the Kalmar Nyckel.

Kalmar Nyckel deck tours are open during the winter “maintenance season” on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The $10 admission includes a self-guided tour of the Copeland Maritime Center.

Ship tours will cancel for inclement weather and safety issues due to heavy maintenance work.

The ship is a beautiful recreation of the original Kalmar Nyckel, which was built in Holland in the 1620s. Her mainmast is taller than a 10-story building and she carries 7,600 square feet of sail area and six miles of rigging.

The original Kalmar Nyckel was a Swedish-owned, three-masted armed pinnace that sailed from Goteborg, Sweden in November of 1637 and brought the first permanent European settlers to the Delaware Valley.

In 1986 a group of citizens established the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation to design, build and launch a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel at a shipyard adjacent to the original landing site.

The new Kalmar Nyckel was constructed there and was launched on September 28, 1997. She was commissioned on May 9, 1998 and now serves as Delaware’s sea-going Ambassador of Good Will. She is a fully functional sail training vessel and has represented Delaware all over the country.

A good way to get out of the cold weather is to visit Wonderspaces.

Wonderspaces at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, philadelphia.wonderspaces.com) is an experiential, interactive arts venue.

Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona, Wonderspaces opened a 24,000 square foot gallery space in Philly a year ago.

Wonderspaces features 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective. The artwork ranges from award-winning virtual reality short film about a dinner party-turned-alien abduction, to a room where visitors digitally paint the walls with the movement of their bodies.

New artworks rotate in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.

Tickets are for entry at a specific date and time. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they please during operating hours. The average time spent experiencing the show is 90 minutes.

A few installations contain flashing lights, images, and patterns that may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. All visitors must sign a waiver prior to being admitted into the space. Adult supervision is required for visitors under 16.

The installation is open from noon-10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, teachers, healthcare workers, students and active military, and $15 for children (ages 3-12).