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HERE
Renowned armor collection finds a new home
One of Worcester’s many treasures — its impressive Higgins Armory Collection — has found a new home at the Worcester Art Museum (WAM). The collection was originally housed in a four-story Art Deco building in Worcester’s Greendale area, which had a steel and glass exterior and an interior that resembled a medieval castle with its stone walls and Gothic arches. The collection — the second-largest of its kind in the United States — now resides in WAM’s new, specially designed 5,000-square-foot Arms and Armor Galleries, opening to the public on Nov. 22. Here, you’ll find more than 1,000 objects from medieval and Renaissance Europe, ancient Greece, Egypt, Japan, India, and beyond. See a full suit of armor made in 1554 for Austrian nobleman Franz von Teuffenbach, a 17th-century Japanese helmet in the form of a conch shell, the ceremonial suit of armor once worn by samurai Sakai Genzo, and a variety of swords and shields. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s process for preserving these objects and don’t miss the Arms and Armor Demonstration on Nov. 23, when you can learn how people used swords throughout history and have a chance to handle a reproduction broadsword or rapier. To view the exhibit (included in museum entry fee), book your timed-entry reservation in advance through the museum’s website. Admission: free for members and 17 and under; $17 for students and seniors; and $22 for 18 and older. Members also get access to a members-only evening celebration Nov. 14 and a Member Preview Nov. 15-21 during regular museum hours. www.worcesterart.org
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THERE
An app for enjoying this annual Florida event
Every night for the next two months, millions of twinkling white lights will illuminate St. Augustine, Fla., during the city’s annual Nights of Lights display, which runs through Jan. 11. This city, located between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville in an area dubbed Florida’s Historic Coast, draws locals and visitors who come to explore the area by foot, on boat tours, or by Old Town Trolley, for instance. This year, the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau has released a new app to help visitors navigate the city during this festive event. Download the free Nights of Lights app, which works with Apple and Android devices, and use it to find parking lots, pin your parking location, and find free park-and-ride shuttles (including estimated shuttle times). Then consult the app for an updated list of events, live music options, restaurants, and activities; enjoy the lights on a scenic cruise, while sailing, or onboard one of Ripley’s Red Night Trains, or sign up for a Very Un-Merry Grinchmas Ride with Tasting Tour. It will also list public restroom locations and offer livestreams of city hot spots, including the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Bridge of Lions. Use the app or website to plan your adventure and get insider tips to make the most of your experience. www.nightsoflights.com and www.floridashistoriccoast.com
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EVERYWHERE
Take outdoor cooking to the next level with this griddle
Forget the little pint-size grill for your upcoming camping and tailgating adventures. Solo Stove’s new Steelfire Griddle has a heavy-duty stainless-steel surface with tons of room for cooking baby back ribs, burgers, and fries — all at the same time — or whipping up pancakes, omelets, and breakfast burritos so you can turn out a feast in no time. The commercial-grade propane griddle heats up to searing temperature within seven minutes and does an impressive job of cooking items quickly and efficiently without burning or drying them out. It has two proprietary “racetrack” burners (light up one or both) that evenly heat the entire 29-by-19-inch griddle surface so there are no hot or cold spots. Spray on cooking oil to keep your creations from sticking, and use mild dish soap and a wet cloth to clean the surface once it cools down. Attach the griddle to the Steelfire Griddle Stand (sold separately or as part of a bundle) so you have a stable surface, adjust the height of the griddle’s feet to create a level cooking area, and then screw the feet to the stand. The Griddle Stand requires assembly; it can be set up by one person, but a second set of hands helps. The stand comes with two side tables, a bottom shelf that securely holds a 20-gallon propane tank, and wheels for easy maneuverability. Once set up, put the griddle and stand unit in the bed of your pickup truck and take it with you to the football game, campground, a friend’s house, or beyond. $899.99-$1,199.99. www.solostove.com
KARI BODNARCHUK
Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at travelwriter@karib.us.