Brutus Goes for Hands-On Fun in Central Ohio

By Betsa Marsh

Brutus the Traveling Teddy had a busy weekend making jewelry

Abby Rice helps Brutus make glass jewelry at The Works. Betsa Marsh photo

Brutus makes the Ohio and Erie Canal boat move at The Works. Betsa Marsh photo

 move, and learned that the factory was built beside the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1861.

At The Works, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, Brutus carded wool

Brutus cards wool at The Works. Betsa Marsh photo

and made jewelry, while young friends made circuits and slot cars,  and danced along to Wii Fit.

At the Longaberger Company, Brutus toured the factory and then got to build his own basket–

Flo Hills of Longaberger helps Brutus make his first basket. Betsa Marsh photo

 with a little bit of help from Flo Hills, a master basket maker.