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[sdcforever]

^I'm confused as well about the woodcarvers and basket shop.   I don't know what's in the old basket shop.  All I know is the woodcarver and basket shop is in the same location right now:  Valley Road Woodcarvers and Basket Shop, which is over by Thunderation.

[shavethewhales]

How are the woodcarvers going to move? Don't they have a lot of old-time machinery? Too bad the basket shop is moving, it really had a cozy little place back there in the woods. Isn't the basket shop one of the more popular shops though? Seems odd to me that they would move to the little woodcarvers' stall.

[History Buff]

This week's Pathfinder has a little article about this move, explaining that the baskets are now being sold (and demonstrated) along with the woodcarving.  I'm not sure that this consolidation really works, but at least both crafts are still being demonstrated.  The basket shop is a fairly new structure so I'm curious as to the thinking for its use.

[marolinesdad]

as of last week that had not really decided what they are going to put in the basket shop.  One of the main reasons it was moved is because it was not doing well in that location.  The needed to move it to a location that people walk past more and was closer to the new Culinary & Craft School.

[sdcforever]

^OK, that reasoning makes sense to me and lessens my confusion.

[History Buff]

The move of the baskets to the woodcarver's shop is perplexing.  Strangely, the baskets actually fit in their new setting pretty well.  However, there aren't very many baskets there, and the demonstrator was not there when we came through.

As for the Culinary & Crafts School, it's beautiful on the inside with a collection of "showcased" items.  The lady at the computer in the entry room looks more like she's poised to book people into a hotel than enroll people in classes.

The kitchen/demonstration area is really well-planned, with two high-def screens overhead so participants can see the skills being presented.  As far as we could tell, however, participants just watch the demonstrator, but don't participate in the food preparation.  You walk out with a sample of what the teacher cooks.  I had thought this would be more hands-on for visitors and not just a "live cooking show".  We felt like we could turn on the Food Network to see this stuff if we wanted to and save our money.

Some pictures:

Isn't this one begging for a woodcarved mantle?


Upper level?  What's up there?


Classroom:


Also, we haven't mentioned the new menu boards around the city, this year.  They are easy to read and all of them have photos of the food to entice visitors:

[sdcforever]

^They did a nice job with the inside of the school.  It looks great!  Thanks for the photos!

[shavethewhales]

Thank you for this, it's great to finally see this meet reality, despite it's shortcomings.

[haytater]

So what do you think? Was the craft school worth your money?

[History Buff]

My wife would have taken a class, but they were only making ginger cookies on the day we were there - Yuck!

Besides, all you get for your tenspot is a sample for yourself, and you lose 45 minutes of your visit to SDC (which is all right if it's worth your while).  I'm not even sure if you get the recipe.

Hopefully, their trial run, this fall/winter will help them make it better for next year.  They are also trying to get the "crafts" in there (since it is called the Culinary & Arts School).

[haytater]

well if you can take a look around without having to pay for the classes, i might just do that.

[History Buff]

You've pretty much seen it at this point.  When classes are going, the doors to the classroom will be closed.  There's not much in the "lobby" to see - it's all in the pictures.

[Coaster]

It looks pretty nice. It looks like a really comfortable place to relax for awhile. I really liked the picture of the back porch of the school with all the rocking chairs that was in the other thread. That was a great picture.

I hope this new attraction works out well for SDC.

[shavethewhales]

Seeing it in person really did help it make sense to me. It looks a whole lot better than I had imagined it, even after seeing all the photos. Apparently, a lot of people really enjoy it, so I'm sure it will make it's mark as a new tradition for many.

[Swoosh]

New photos of the school and the road project
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