Winter weekends work some magic

Jon Michael of Artic Diamond Ice Sculptures in Cincinnati unleashes a tiger from about eight blocks -- about 2,400 pounds -- of ice at the Toledo Zoo as part of its Winter Weekends program. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Steven Kusian wasn't expecting to end up in a magician's show when he braved chilly wind gusts and took his nieces to the Toledo Zoo Saturday, but he did not regret it.

"It was their idea to sit in the front row. I was a bit scared. But it was fun," Mr. Kusian, 41, a lab technician from Oregon said of his brief experience volunteering as a magician's aide for Eli Portala's show at the zoo's indoor theater. Mr. Kusian danced, put a paper tissue into his mouth, and helped carry and tip a wooden chest.

Mr. Kusian and his three nieces were among dozens at the zoo who chose to attend the about 60-minute show and other zoo indoor activities such as feeding animals including sharks, reptiles, primates, spiders, and birds.

Along with outdoor ice-carving demonstrations, the events were highlights of the zoo's Winter Weekends program, formerly known as Frozentoesen.

Toledo magician Eli Portala, 15, juggles machetes. His free magic show is to be performed Sunday at noon, 1:30, and 3:30 p.m. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Paula Kusian, 13, a seventh grader at Fassett Middle School in Oregon, found her uncle's turn as a magician's aide especially entertaining.

"I was laughing watching my uncle dance," she said. "He is not a great dancer, but it was fun watching him."

Watching a snake consume a mouse was another highlight for the Kusians.

"It was a little gross, but I liked it," Paula said, with her uncle adding, "And we also saw tiger cubs, and the kids were thrilled."

Also sitting in the front rows were Bettie and Bob Koenig, Lucas County emergency and respite services volunteers who were providing weekend respite for four Toledo children, ages 4 to 10, from their regular foster families. They had just come from the zoo's science museum, where the children spent time bouncing and shrieking inside an inflatable "bounce house."

"[The zoo] gives something for them to do that they can enjoy. It's keeping the kids happy, so it keeps us happy," Mrs. Koenig said.

Zoogoers watch a pair of black-tipped reef sharks in the aquarium as educator Chuck Dombrowski, far right, talks about sharks. The Winter Weekends’ activities highlight the indoor activities at the zoo. The program runs through February. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Once the magician's show was over, some of the audience headed to the primate forest area, where a family of gibbons was being fed indoors, just a few feet away from humans who watched through a floor-to-ceiling window.

"I can't believe how agile they are," said Kloe Bolduc-Campeau, 22, a University of Michigan postgraduate student of social services. "Also, it's nice to be indoors on a windy day like this."

Added her friend Justin Ferriman, 26, a Detroit business consultant, "It's also cool to see [the apes] so close, behind the glass, as opposed to large [outdoor areas] where you can't always see them well."

Jen Brassil, events coordinator for the zoo, said the Winter Weekends focus on the zoo's indoor activities. The winter programs' old name, she said, was changed with that focus in mind and also to "get away from the notion of frozen toes."

Sponsored by Mercy Children's Hospital, the program runs Saturdays and Sundays through February as well as on Presidents' Day. All activities are included with paid admission, which is half price for Winter Weekends.

Contact Mike Sigov at: sigov@theblade.com, or 419-724-6089.