Shop DNR this season
John Goss, Director of the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources.
From the first autumn breeze to when leaves fall and cover the countryside, we begin to think about upcoming holidays and spending time with family and friends. And, of course, with the season comes the annual adventure of shopping for holiday gifts.
If you want to reduce your holiday stress this year, try skipping the annual migration to the nearest shopping mall. The DNR has some great gift ideas that can make your life a little easier.
For people who love the outdoors, why not give them the whole outdoors? At only $12 per year, Outdoor Indiana magazine makes a great gift.
We’re already hard at work on our 2005 issues with more stories and photos of animals, plants, interesting people, beautiful Indiana scenes and great places to visit.
Look for the subscription card bound in this issue. Use it to purchase gift subscriptions for two friends or relatives.
Want more gift subscriptions? You’re my kind of folks. The same form is in all Outdoor Indianas, so pull a subscription card from a previous issue or call us toll-free at 1-877-463-6367.
Mother Nature’s Mercantile is another great option. We opened the store at the Indiana State Fair a year ago. It is a big hit online, featuring items found in state park inn gift shops and more.
The store’s clothing, books, kitchenware, pottery and toys for the kids are great holiday gifts. And the store adds new products almost every day. Find it at http://estore.dnr.state.in.us.
If you live in or plan to visit central Indiana, check out Mother Nature’s Bazaar at the Ft. Harrison State Park Pro Shop. It will operate from noon to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily until Dec. 11.
The store will feature affordable gifts for young shoppers. And, of course, golf-related items are available at the Pro-Shop, too.
Another excellent option is a state park inn gift certificate, which is available in any dollar amount. It’s hard to beat a mini-vacation at a state park.
The certificate is good for lodging, food and gifts at all seven state park inns. They also can be used for golf at The Fort Golf Course in Indianapolis. Call Theresa at 317-232-4140 or toll-free in Indiana at 1-800-622-4931 to order a gift certificate.
Is it your turn to host the relatives for the holidays this year? Do it at a state park inn. We’ll cook and clean. You won’t have to wash the dishes while somebody else sits on the couch watching the football game.
Bring some board games or family albums to enjoy by the fireplace. And don’t forget the hiking shoes. Isn’t this better than cooking for hours only to end up snoozing in front of the tube?
Call 1-877-lodges1 or visit www.IN.gov/dnr/parklake/inns/ for reservations, and have a holiday to remember.
