Inexpensive Dates and Family Outings

Art Galleries/Museums

ALLIANCE FOR THE VARIED ARTS: 35 West 100 South 753-2970

ART CENTER GALLER: 25 W. 100 N 753-0333

CAFFE IBIS GALLERY DELI: 52 Federal Avenue 753-4777

FUHRIMANS FRAMING & FINE ART: 75 South Main 752-0370

JERRY FUHRIMAN STUDIO-GALLERY: 28 Federal Avenue 753-9446

NORA ECCLES HARRISON MUSEUM OF ART: Utah State University,
650 North 1100 East 
adjacent to Kent Concert Hall
(435) 797-0163

PRINCE GALLERY: 2600 North Main 
North Logan 750-6089

GLOBAL VILLAGES: 146 North 100 East 713-4347

TWAIN TIPPETS GALLERY: Chase Fine Arts Center,
Utah State University
 Student and faculty exhibits 797-3040

WINBORG MASTERPIECES GALLERY: 55 North Main 792-4278

CACHE MUSEUM
DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS: Chamber of Commerce Building, 160 North Main, Logan (435) 752-5139 (June-Sept.) or (435) 753-1635 Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 1-Labor Day, or by appointment

EVERTON GENEALOGICAL COLLECTION: Logan Justice Building (main floor), 290 N 100 West in Logan (435) 716-9143 / jcornelius@loganutah.org Tuse. 1-9 p.m., Wed.-Fri. 1-6 p.m., 2nd Sat. each month 1-6 p.m.

HYRUM CITY MUSEUM: 83 West Main (basement), Hyrum (435) 245-6033 Tues., Thurs., and Sat. 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

INTERMOUNTAIN HERBARIUM: Basement of the Junction Cafeteria, Utah State University, Logan (435) 797-0061 or (435) 797-1584 Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY: Old Main Building Room 252, Utah State University, Logan
(435) 797-7545 or (435) 797-1240 FAX Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment www.usu.edu/anthro/museum

NORA ECCLES HARRISON
MUSEUM OF ART: 650 North 1100 East, Utah State University, Logan adjacent to Kent Concert Hall, (435) 797-0163 Tues., Thurs., and Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wed. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sat. noon-4 p.m.

DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS MUSEUM
PARADISE: 8970 South 200 West, Paradise (435) 245-3842 By appointment.

DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS MUSEUM
RICHMOND: 29 South State, Richmond (435) 258-5277 Thurs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS: Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan (435) 797-2663 Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

DAUGHTERS OF UTAH PIONEERS MUSEUM
WELLSVILLE: Wellsville Tabernacle, Main and Center, Wellsville (435) 245-3643, (435) 245-3745, or (435) 245-3256 By appointment only

LOGAN REC CTR: The recreation center features exercise facilities, a weight room, indoor track, and basketball, racquetball, and tennis courts. 
195 South 100 West 
(435) 716-9250 
www.loganutah.org/site/id/parksnrecreation.htm

LOGAN SKATE PARK: This is one of the best parks in the state. Skateboard on a 17,000 square-foot park, featuring 8-foot bowls. The park is designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skaters. 
500 South 595 West 
Logan Parks and Recreation (435) 716-9250 
Daily from dawn to dusk

WILLOW PARK ZOO: The setting offers walkways along shady willow trees and children can feed the ducks, geese, and trout. Picnic and playground areas are adjacent to the zoo. 
419 West 700 South, Logan 
(435) 750-9893 
www.loganutah.org/site/id/parksnrecreation.htm 
Daily 9 a.m.-dusk, except Thanksgiving, 
Christmas, and New Year’s Day 
50 cents admission

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: A downtown walking tour guide and a historic home guide are available at the Cache Valley Visitors Bureau, 199 North Main Street.

Community Events And Festivals

SUMMERFEST ARTS FAIRE
(Thurs.-Sat. of Father's Day weekend)
 Logan Tabernacle Grounds 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
(435) 213-3858
www.logansummerfest.com

ART ON THE LAWN
(Last Saturday in June)
 1491 East 2300 North 
North Logan
(435) 752-4749
www.artonthelawn.net


Local Events Calendar:

MAY:

Mendon May Day (435) 753-3326

Smithfield Health Days (435) 563-0048

Richmond Black and White Days (435) 258-2092

JUNE:

Celebrate Providence (435) 752-9441

Clarkston Pony Express Days (435) 563-9090

Millville Fun Days (435) 750-0924

Nibley’s Heritage Days (435) 752-0431 
Logan Summerfest (435) 213-3858

JULY:

Logan’s 4^th of July Fireworks (435) 716-9250

Lewiston’s 4^th of July Celebration (435) 258-2141

Hyrum’s Star-Spangled Week (435) 245-6033

Utah Festival Opera (435) 750-0300

Logan’s 24^th of July at Willow Park (435) 716-9250

Preston’s Famous Night Rodeo (208) 852-3199

AUGUST

Utah Festival Opera (800) 262-0074

Bear Lake Raspberry Days (800) 448-2327

Cache County Fair and Rodeo (435) 716-7150

Martin Harris Pageant (435) 563-0059

River Heights Apple Days (435) 752-2646

Paradise Trout and Berry Days (435) 245-6737

Beach Blast Luau (435) 716-9250

SEPTEMBER

Wellsville Founder’s Day (435) 245-3686

Celebrate America Show (435) 753-1551

OCTOBER

Providence’s Annual Sauerkraut Dinner (435) 752-9441

North Logan Pumpkin Walk (435) 752-1310

Halloween Haunt (435) 716-9250

Logan’s Novemberfest (435) 716-9250

DECEMBER

Cache Community Celebrates New Year’s Eve (435) 716-9250

Food Tour

AGGIE ICE CREAM & TRUE BLUE CHEESE
Utah State University: Nutrition & Food Science Building 
750 North 1200 East, Logan 
(435) 797-2109 
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 
Tour: 1:30 p.m. 
Monday thru Friday

BLUEBIRD CANDY FACTORY: 75 West Center, Logan 
(435) 753-3670 
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Tour: 11:00 a.m. 
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 
(Memorial Day - Labor Day)

COX HONEYLAND AND GIFTS: 1780 South U.S. Hwy. 89-91, Logan 
(435) 752-3234 Mon.- Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
Tour: 11:30 a.m. daily year round
3 p.m. Memorial Day - Labor Day

CRUMB BROTHERS ARTISAN BREAD: 291 South 300 West, Logan 
(435) 792-6063 
Tour: 9:30 a.m. 
Monday thru Thursday

GARDENER'S MARKET: Merlin Olsen Park? (435) 755-3950 
Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
mid-May to mid-October

ROCKHILL CREAMERY: 563 South State St., Richmond 
(435) 258-1278 Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Cache Valley's Micro Dairy 
Tour: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays 
mid-April to mid-October

WEEKS BERRIES OF PARADISE: 8560 South 800 East, Paradise 
(435) 245-3377 
Working farm w/raspberries, strawberries & blackberries 
Tour: 10 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Mondays & Fridays
May - October or by appointment

WEBSITES:

www.tourcachevalley.com

www.logancanyon.com

www.bearriverheritage.com

www.bridgerlandaudubon.org

www.parenting.com

www.brighamcity.utah.gov

www.variedarts.org

www.usu.edu/calendar

http://library.loganutah.org/local/events

http://Aggieserve.blogspot.com/

www.eventful.com

OUTDOORS

Canoeing www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/wetlandsmaze

Benson Marina, 3000 North and approx. 4800 West, near Benson; Cutler Marsh Marina, 200 North and approx. 4800 West; Cutler Canyon, SR23 and approx. 6200 North; Upper Bear River, approx. 3000 North 2900 West.

Caves And Arches

WIND CAVES
 - 5.2 miles up Logan Canyon, off U.S. Hwy. 89

MINNETONKA CAVE
 - The cave is cool, so bring a jacket. 9 miles up St. Charles Canyon, north of Bear Lake and west of St. Charles, Idaho Memorial Day-Labor Day 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (435) 245-4422 or (208) 942-2407

Stokes Nature Center

2696 East U.S.Hwy. 89, 1 mile up Logan Canyon
(435) 755-3239
Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.;
2^nd Sat. of each month 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

CHEAP DATES

Challenge family members/friends to a game of backyard badminton, charades or another board or card game, pitting you and your date against other teams of two.

For Home Bodies: Pull out some bug spray and a cozy blanket and curl up together in your backyard or a local park for some stargazing.

Have a movie night with your date, challenging each other to bring a flick within the allotted theme of the night – such as worst movie of all time or the best classic you’ve never heard of. You could even go so far as to make a cheap date weekend out of it and create your own personal Oscars screening or private themed film festival.

Raid the dollar store for BINGO game items you don’t already have. Use peanuts or some other inexpensive markers and let the games begin.

For Kids at Heart: Find a swing set, playground or park and spend the cheap date there together.

Farmers markets and street fairs usually cost nothing and you’ll enjoy some time together learning more about your community’s offerings.

Visit the zoo together.

Challenge each other to a contest. Anything works, and the sillier the better! Try sand castle building, hop scotch, name that tune, marbles, or kite flying.

For Sports or Activity Lovers: Learn a new sport or activity together, such as ultimate frisbee or mountaineering, or geocaching.

Invite some friends over for a big game or pay-per-view event and make a day of it, complete with munchies and prizes for the most supportive at-home fans.

For Thrill Seekers: Read through the Guinness Book of World Records together, and find something the two of you could potentially achieve as a couple and then do it together as a cheap date idea.

Go for a drive together where you only stop or turn when you encounter a pre-determined area or event, such as a garage sale sign or a street that starts with the letter M. Travel games are also a great idea for those dating with kids.

For Those Who Thirst for Knowledge: Attend a poetry or book reading together. Most of these events are free, and you’ll learn something new to discuss over later.

Sign up to volunteer together for a cause that you are both passionate about or a festival that otherwise would be too expensive to attend.

More Cheap Date Ideas

Tip: Eliminate babysitter fees by co-oping with family friends: you watch their kids one night a week and in trade, they reciprocate.

Play Frisbee golf

Create an “International Night”. Decorate your home with an international theme, dress up, prepare ethnic foods, listen to appropriate music, and watch a foreign film on DVD

Try letter-boxing or geocaching

Enjoy an art walk, gallery to gallery

Watch a high school play

attend a matinée movie. 


Spend an evening playing board games by candlelight

Attend a book signing at a local bookstore.


Design a scavenger or treasure hunt. Write clues on pieces of paper and leave them all around the house, neighborhood park, or town. Design each clue to lead to the next. Place a small gifts, or picnic basket at the end of the hunt

Attend a free concert or festival. Check the local newspaper for an upcoming event schedule.


Go to a free library event Check the university schedule (if you live in a college town) for lectures, films and concerts

Visit a 4-H fair or carnival For group dates, create a thematic dinner club. Participate in a progressive dinner Join a book club for couples or families.


Have a fondue party


Take a factory tour

Visit the zoo or museum

Star Gaze

Check with the local home improvement store for free do-it-yourself instruction classes. Craft a new scrapbook page

Make homemade gifts or greeting cards

Take a drive through the countryside

Give one another facials or pedicures

Create a time capsule and bury it

Share a book by reading it out loud

Take a stroll through downtown

Bake and decorate cookies, then deliver them to friends

Perform a random act of kindness – pick a store or other public place and look for opportunities to be kind/be of service; you could eve make it a competition (who can do the most kind things in 10 minutes . . .)

Play around: Visit a quiet playground (without kidlets).

Interview each other

Fly a kite

Go fishing - fish farm in Smithfield

Enjoy a classic movie marathon

WEBSITES:

www.tourcachevalley.com

www.logancanyon.com

www.bearriverheritage.com

www.bridgerlandaudubon.org

www.parenting.com

www.brighamcity.utah.gov

www.variedarts.org

www.usu.edu/calendar

http://library.loganutah.org/local/events

http://Aggieserve.blogspot.com/

WEBSITES:

www.tourcachevalley.com

www.logancanyon.com

www.bearriverheritage.com

www.bridgerlandaudubon.org

www.parenting.com

www.brighamcity.utah.gov

www.variedarts.org

www.usu.edu/calendar

http://library.loganutah.org/local/events

http://Aggieserve.blogspot.com/

Ten Tips to Decorating on a Budget....

Start with a Plan.


1. Rearrange Furniture or Re purpose Furniture -
*focal points *purpose of space

2. Paint a Wall

3. Bring in Plants or Flowers -
*scale - both large and small, potted or flowers in vases

4. Lay an Area Rug -
brings color, warmth, pattern, texture

5. Hang Pictures or a Mirror -
*if you have kids, they can paint or draw pictures, then you can hang them up in frames to personalize the space
a. group pictures in 3's
b. 1 large or
c. many small (like a collage) *scale - different sizes

6. Add Decorative Pillows -
*bed sheets from D.I. or Ross can be made into a pillow, or old blankets, etc

7. Group Figurines -
*collectibles or knickknacks - instead of spread out everywhere, try to group together

8. Replace or Update Light fixtures and Lamps -
*silhouette lamps (cut shapes in shades)
a. paint base
b. make tassels for drawstrings on ceiling fans or lamp shades

9. Add a Throw or Afghan -
*color, patterns, scale, texture

10. Eliminate Clutter -
*Keep it (decor) simple *use what you already have!
a. Organize
b. Donate

*Paint - $25 or Less -
different kinds and uses of paints (both spray and brush) for rugs, ceramics, metal, wood, stone.
a. ideas for painting - walls, furniture- wood or metal, doors, lamp bases, ceiling fan blades
b. Kids Room or Office - Chalk Board Paint or Dry Erase Paint (Home Depot or Lowes or Hobby Lobby)

Pasta Recipes

Baked Spaghetti

(This was in the 9x13 baking dish at the Taster’s Table.)

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped green pepper (optional)

1 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes with liquid, cut up

1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1 can (2 ¼ oz) ripe olives, drained

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

12 oz. spaghetti, cooked and drained

2 cups (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

1 can (10 ¾ oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

¼ cup water

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

In large skillet, sauté onion and green pepper in butter until tender. Add tomatoes, mushrooms, olives and oregano. Add ground beef. Simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Place half of the spaghetti in a greased 13 X 9 X 2 inch baking dish. Top with half of the meat/vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers. Mix the soup and water until smooth; pour over the casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes, or until heated through. Yield: 12 servings.

Baked Spaghetti

(This was in the 9X9 baking dish at the Taster’s Table.)

1 package (16 oz.) spaghetti

1 ½ pounds ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

½ cup chopped green pepper

1 can (10 ¾ oz. ) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 can (10 ¾ oz.) condensed tomato soup, undiluted

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 cup water

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry basil

1 tsp. dry oregano

½ tsp. dry marjoram

½ tsp. dry rosemary

1/8 tsp. garlic salt

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded part skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Break spaghetti in half; cook according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the soups, tomato sauce, water, brown sugar and seasonings. Drain spaghetti; stir into meat sauce. Add ½ cup of the cheese. Transfer to greased 9x13x2 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes more, or until cheese is melted.

Chicken Spaghetti

(This was in the Crockpot at the Taster’s Table)

1 can cream of Chicken soup

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can green chilies

1 lb. favorite cheese

12 oz. cooked spaghetti

1 ½ lb cooked chicken

Add all ingredients except spaghetti to Crockpot and heat for 2 hours. Then add spaghetti.

Suped-up Mac n' Cheese

(This is one of the recipes from the February cooking class, which we sampled at the Taster’s Table.)

1 lb elbow macaroni noodles
1 onion
1 box frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
1 quart milk
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup flour
1 lb shredded colby-jack (or cheddar) cheese
8 oz (1 box) cream cheese
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup diced deli ham
1 tsp crushed garlic (1 or 2 cloves)
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika (regular paprika works too)
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 cup dried breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs

Instructions:
1) Boil a large pot of water. When it gets boiling, add about 1 tbsp salt and pour in the pasta. Cook for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Different pastas will vary in cooking time, so be sure to check. Meanwhile:
2) Heat the milk for 4 minutes in the microwave.
3) Chop the onion. In a 2 quart skillet or saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat and add the onion. Sautee until the onion gets soft, about 3 minutes. Pour the cooked onion into a really big bowl (this bowl will eventually hold the entire dish, so make sure it is big enough).
4) Put the same saucepan back on the stove and lower the heat to medium-low. Add the butter, let it melt. Then sprinkle in the flour and whisk to combine. Keep whisking for about 1 minute. This is called a roux, and will thicken the sauce.
5) Add the hot milk to the roux and whisk constantly until the milk gets nice and thick. A few bubbles might show up. Now this is called a white sauce, or bechamel. (by the way, have you checked on your noodles?) Add the cream cheese and the grated cheese, stir it really well, until things melt. Turn off the heat.
6) In that big bowl, put in the drained spinach, the completed cheese sauce, and all the ingredients EXCEPT the breadcrumbs . Stir everything together. Drain the noodles (if you haven't already,) and add those. Fold the entire mixture gently, but thoroughly, until everything is mixed and looking yummy. Pour into a big casserole dish, about 15x11". This makes a lot.
7) Sprinkle the top of the casserole with breadcrumbs. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes, or until heated through, bubbly, and golden on top.

Sweet & Sour Noodles

(This is the other recipe from the February cooking class, which we sampled at the Taster’s Table.)

12 oz Spaghetti Noodles

1 onion

1 red bell pepper (or green)

1 (Small) head broccoli

3 carrots

1 can pineapple chunks

2 cups frozen shelled Edamame

1 can sliced water chestnuts

3 tbsp olive oil

Sauce:

½ cup soy sauce

¼ cup pineapple juice

1 tsp garlic

¼ cup honey

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp pepper

½ cup ketchup

3 tbsp cornstarch

1) Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tbsp salt and the spaghetti noodles. Return to a gentle boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or until spaghetti is al dente. Drain.

2) Meanwhile, wash vegetables and chop into bite-size pieces. Drain Pineapple, reserving juice for the sauce. Drain water chestnuts.

3) In a large wok or frying pan, heat 3 tbsp olive oil until it begins to smoke. Add the onion, pepper, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry over high heat for 3-5 minutes, until the vegetables just begin to soften.

4) Mix together all sauce ingredients in a bowl or measuring cup.

5) When the spaghetti is done cooking, add the drained, cooked noodles to the stir-fry vegetables. Also add the pineapple, water chestnuts, edamame, and sauce.

6) Cook for about 5 more minutes until everything is hot through and edamame are bright green.

7) Serve immediately. Makes 6-8 adult servings.