Worlds Largest Things, Inc.

SCOUT in ARTFORUM!

2011-12-08T22:18:00.002-06:00

That's right, lil' ol' SCOUT, the Daily Driver Art Car, is the featured image for the review of the current show 'here' at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. It made the trek out East in November to be a part of the museum show, alongside the Sideshow Extravaganza version of the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things.

WHOOP whoop whoopity WHOOP!

http://www.artforum.com/picks/section=us#Philadelphia

Michigan Landmark Destroyed: World's Largest Stove Burns

2011-08-15T15:32:00.000-05:00

Fire has ravaged a massive wooden replica of a stove that was built for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and became a Detroit landmark.

Fire crews were called to the "World's Largest Stove" at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on Saturday night after storms moved through the area.

"It's gone through so many evolutions, so many changes in the city and still survived all those years," said Jan Kaulins, a photographer who sells prints of the stove and other Detroit landmarks on his website.

"It's multigenerational. Objects like that help bind history."

A lightning strike may be to blame for the blaze, said Michael Herron, a Detroit Fire Department senior chief. Herron said reports indicate that "natural causes" were to blame for the fire.

The 15-ton replica was built by the Michigan Stove Co. Painted to look like metal, the stove stood on a platform at the exposition over an exhibit of regular stoves. It formerly was located near Belle Isle, an island park in the Detroit River.

The stove was later restored and moved to the fairgrounds.

It's unclear whether the stove would be rebuilt. The Michigan State Fair was shut down in 2009 by state funding cuts.

NYT article on Arts Funding picked up by Rural Yonder

2011-08-04T21:55:00.000-05:00

Rural Yonder is one of my favorite sources for items pertaining to rural sustainability, so color me pleased when they picked up the recent NYT article on Arts funding cuts and the impact on rural America. See the whole recap here:

http://www.dailyyonder.com/thursday-roundup-appalachian-depression/2011/08/03/3458

Today's New York Times online: States Slash Arts Funds, Sometimes to Zero

2011-08-01T11:43:00.001-05:00

By ROBIN POGREBIN

Published: August 1, 2011

Erika Nelson, an artist from Lucas, Kan., drives the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things, her mobile art museum.

She has made tiny copies, for example, of the World's Largest Ball of Twine, which is down the road in Cawker City, and the World's Largest Can of Fruit Cocktail, which is in Sunnyvale, Calif.

She calls her mobile museum The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things.

But this year she may not be able to travel far. Kansas, which has one of the country's smallest state arts budgets, has decided to shrink it even further, to zero.

"I think it's a sad day for Kansas," said Ms. Nelson who lost a $2,000 state grant that had helped underwrite her van's trips to colleges and county fairs.

Read the rest online: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/arts/kansas-and-other-states-cut-arts-funds.html

New York Times Arts Beat: As States Struggle, How Much For the Arts?

2011-07-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

Erika Nelson, an artist from Lucas, Kan., drives The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things, her mobile art museum.

Should state governments be in the business of funding the arts, particularly in hard times when they are struggling to fill potholes?

Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas has answered this question loud and clear. In May, he vetoed the legislature's $689,000 appropriation for the state arts commission, thus eliminating the state's funding for culture in one fell swoop.

Read the rest of the story on the NYT Arts Beat blog: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/as-states-struggle-how-much-for-the-arts/

Hand-Drawn Book Project showing in Winter Park, FL!

2011-07-28T17:03:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the Full Sail University, Winter Park FL.

Show runs July 29 - 31, if you want to see it in person, or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

Orange you glad I didn't say Banana?

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Hand-Drawn Book Project showing in Chicago IL!

2011-07-13T17:01:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the Hyde Park Arts Center, Chicago IL.

Show runs July 14 - 17, if you want to see it in person, or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

Have a Chicago Dog for me! With the works, please...

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Seguin (Texas) retaking the pecan crown

2011-07-02T16:19:00.001-05:00

Nut will be the 'world's largest.'

By Claire Cardona

SEGUIN— It took a while, but this city is back on top.

This Fourth of July, the city of about 25,000 people will reclaim its long-held title as the site of the world's largest pecan, showcasing a 2,300-pound nut measuring 16 feet long and 8 feet wide at its downtown parade.

While it's important to note the pecan is fake — made of tubing, chicken wire and fiberglass — residents are more interested in restoring a tradition that had been cracked away from them by a farm in Brunswick, Mo.

"I think Seguin should regain its bragging rights, take back the fame," said John Pape, the manager at Pape Pecan House who helped fabricate the new pecan.

For a long time, Seguin had the biggest pecan in the country. But by the time Pape built an even bigger one in 2002 to replace the original world's largest pecan, which was constructed 40 years earlier in front of the Guadalupe County Courthouse, that claim had been lost.

Hand-Drawn Book showing in San Francisco, CA!

2011-06-17T16:59:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco CA.

Show is one day only, Saturday June 18, if you want to see it in person, or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

Keep on Living Large!

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Hand-Drawn Book to show in Seattle WA!

2011-06-09T16:58:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the Form/Space Atelier in Seattle.

Show is a three-day engagement, June 10 - 12, if you want to see it in person. Or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

Stick around for the Seattle Art Car Blowout and Freemont Fair the next weekend, too, and BLOW YOUR MIND.

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Iowa State University Lecture

2011-05-26T07:51:00.000-05:00

...just found out that they have an archive of podcasts! This lecture, A History of Roadside Attractions, was from back in Aught Eight, presented to the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society of Iowa State University, at their annual awards and recognitions banquet. It delves into the history of roadside attractions, geared towards a history-minded crowd. Download and enjoy!

Flickr Photo Sets from the Texas Trip

2011-05-25T22:11:00.001-05:00

Texas WLTs, a set on Flickr.

Just back from Texas and Oklahoma, with GREAT WLT spotting on the way! Here's the Texas set, but check out the flickr photostream for more from Oklahoma, the Orange Show, and Art Car Weekend 2011

Ready to go!

2011-05-17T18:30:00.001-05:00

Luckily, the little Art Car SCOUT got gussied up just before the L.A. trip in December, so this week has been devoted to gettin' stuff cleared off of the palatte. Yes, it's Orange Show Art Car Weekend TIME! This year, the parade is scheduled for Sunday, to coincide with a museums conference, so most events are delayed one day from their normal routine. Can't wait to see all my Art Car friends, and leaving a day early to do some Texas WLT Scouting. Whoop whoop whoopity-whoop ROAD TRIP TIME!

From the Onion: World's Largest Website last home of dying Silicoln Valley town

2011-05-01T07:50:00.000-05:00

SUNNYVALE, CA—The wonder in 8-year-old Hayley Dunbar's face as she stares out over what locals claim is the world's largest website makes it easy to understand why she and her father, Tom, drove all the way from Eugene, OR to see it.

"Wow, look at all of the links—I can't believe how huge it is!" squeals Hayley, whose family is among the 200,000 people ex-pected to make the trip out to California's Santa Clara Valley this year to catch a glimpse of the marvel. "How did they make a website so big, Daddy?"

Read the rest of the story from America's Finest News Source: http://www.theonion.com/articles/silicon-valley-town-pinning-tourism-hopes-on-world,20258/

More items for the WLT Flickr set!

2011-04-30T13:56:00.001-05:00

World's Largest Things, a set on Flickr.

...added Iowa's Largest Frying Pan (Brandon)and a few new shots of the World's Largest Strawberry (strawberry point) to the set - stop on by and peruse some of the WLT image archives!

From the Email Inbox: World's Largest Frying Pan, Long Beach WA

2011-04-30T13:43:00.000-05:00

Shuckin' and tossin' and fryin'!

Hand-Drawn Book being shown in Washington D.C.!

2011-04-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the Transformer Gallery, Washington D.C.

Show runs April 11th - 30th, if you want to see it in person. Or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

It's a Capitol Plan!

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Hand-Drawn Book Project showing in Atlanta GA!

2011-04-07T16:54:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at The Granite Room.

Show is two days only, April 8th and 9th, if you want to see it in person. Or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

It'll be peachy-keen!

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Obscura Day, April 9th: Lucas and Chicago Events

2011-04-05T17:15:00.001-05:00

That's right, we're in two places at once for Atlas Obscura's International OBSCURA DAY!

You can self-tour the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things at the home base in Lucas, Kansas. A special Obscura Day bonus will be found on-site, as described in the official listing...

OR, you can come to THREEWALLS in Chicago for a SLIDESHOW EXTRAVAGANZA! Erika will be presenting an old-school slide show featuring the best from the American Road as part of a Public Culture Lecture series, developed in conjunction with InCUBATE Chicago - Seating is limited to 50, but c'mon down! You can find out more on the threewalls gallery site, the inCUBATE Chicago site, or the Atlas Obscura Day site.

Threewalls is located at 119 N. Peoria, #2c. Lecture scheduled for 7 p.m., with Q&A afterwards.

See ya' down the road!

World's Largest Ball of Plastic Crap, Lucas, Kansas

2011-04-03T09:47:00.001-05:00

World's Largest Ball of Plastic Crap, Lucas, Kansas, a set on Flickr.

NEW! and now OUTDOORS! At the World's Largest Things Home Base, the World's Largest Ball of Plastic Crap - all those non-recyclables that you don't know what to do with? Here's the solution. Sure to grow to unhandle-able proportions soon...

Fellow Roadside Enthusiast Agility Nut is on the road again!

2011-03-31T08:53:00.000-05:00

image: Kickerz (coffee shack) in Whitehouse, from AgilityNut's current road trip

She's known for her epic, image-rich marathon road trips, capturing Roadside Culture before it disappears. Follow her progress on the Roadside Architecture Blog , and through her Flickr Photostream.

Daily Driver Art Car "Scout" reaches 300,000 miles! March 29, 2011

2011-03-29T22:31:00.001-05:00

I noticed earlier in the day that we were getting close to a major milestone (ha!), and the Geographic Center of the U.S. was just the right distance away. So, in a spur-of-the-moment move, I headed to Lebanon Kansas, and made it to the Center with 7 miles to spare. I decided to drive the loop around the center until I hit 300,000, but quickly realized (after the first three miles) that the road 'round the Center is only 1/6th of a mile long. So, after 18 laps, I burned up two more miles on a mile-long straightaway, and did two more miles of tiny loops until Viola!! The Odometer crept from 299,999 to 300,000, just past the Geographic Center monument. Whoop!

See more pics on the Flickr photostream ...

It's been a trouper of a truck, a 1995 Toyota Pickup (this was the last year you could just by a "pickup" and not a Tacoma), manual transmission, original clutch, and Daily Driver. I bought it brand spankin' new in Jefferson City Missouri, it was assembled in California, and was only 116 miles old when purchased. Since then it's covered ground from Canada to Mexico, Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean, Highest Points and Lowest Points, and has served as an Art Car for about half of it's mileage life. I've been reluctant to seek out a new vehicle, as this one is just the perfect point of not having all the locator and electronic crap, yet updated enough to be safe, have heat and A/C, and you can still pop the hood to see what's wrong. I'll keep it going - let's shoot for a couple hundred thou' more!

Hand-Drawn Book showing in Portland ME!

2011-03-29T16:52:00.000-05:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the SPACE Gallery, Portland ME.

Show is scheduled from March 30 - April 2, if you want to see it in person. Or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

Happy Vicarious Travels!

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

Erika and the WLCoWSVoWLT profiled in Go Galavanting

2011-03-18T12:20:00.001-05:00

Great writeup in a travel mag targeted at independent women, Go Galavanting.

"I love finding the bizarre and unexpected that many people pass up because they don't want to be 'taken in' by a tourist trap. I want to see!" So says Erika Nelson, founder and creative mind behind the wandering World's Largest Collection of World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things. Tourist traps are Nelson's stock-in-trade, having navigated the country's backroads and highways in search of the monuments to eccentricity, creativity and good-ole Americana.

World's Largest Things is exactly what it sounds like: curated by Nelson, it is a collection of models resembling those "World's Largest" things you see on the road when traveling. The World's Largest Thermometer, Penny, Turkey… You name it, Nelson's most likely seen it, not to mention created a miniature version of said thing.

Eccentric? Absolutely. But to Nelson, it's much more than that. Check out the entire story here: Galavanter: Erika Nelson of World's Largest Things

Hand-Drawn Book being shown in Austin TX

2011-03-11T16:50:00.000-06:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the Austin Museum of Art.

Show is one day only, Saturday March 12, if you want to see it in person. Or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

During SXSW - enjoy the shows!

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

TODAY! PANCAKE DAY! Grab your flaps, Jack, and meet me in Liberal KS!

2011-03-08T06:08:00.000-06:00

Pancake Breakfast 6 – 10 am sponsored by Noon Kiwanis – Seward County Activity Center

Breakfast Program 7:30 am, from the Pancake Day Board – Seward County Activity Center

Youth Races 10:00 am - 4th and Lincoln

Last Chance Race 11:30 am - 4th and Lincoln

Men's Pacer Race 11:45 am - 6th and Kansas

INTERNATIONAL RACE 11:55 am - 6th and Kansas

Shriving Service 12:15 pm - Ministerial Alliance – First United Methodist Church

Live Video Conference 1:30 pm - First United Methodist Church - comparing INTERNATIONAL RACE TIMES, Liberal KS and Olney, England

Parade 3:00 pm - Rotary Club – 11th and Kansas to Trail St.

Goin' to Liberal! The Pancake Hub of the Universe.

2011-03-07T08:09:00.000-06:00

Tonight, High Tea, then the final Pancake Day Talent Show, 7:30 p.m., Liberal High School. I've picked out an obnoxious pixel-defying suit, have my monster boots (or maybe monster mary-janes) ready, and will try my best to emcee the heck outta this prestigious evening. All happening in Liberal, Kansas, as a lead-up to tomorrow morning's International Pancake Day Race!

See the full schedule and history of Pancake Day here: http://www.pancakeday.net/

TWO exciting events involving the WLCoWSVoWLT this year for Atlas Obscura Day, April 9, 2011

2011-03-06T11:25:00.001-06:00

Travel to wondrous and curious places on Obscura Day 2011.

World's Largest Ball of Plastic Crap! Lucas, Kansas.

2011-02-26T15:07:00.001-06:00

World's Largest Ball of Plastic Crap Flickr Photoset

Here it is - the beginnings of the World's Largest Ball of Plastic Crap. All those bits and bobs and things that you (OK, I...) collect, meaning to 'do something with this amazing thing...', are amassing into a new World's Largest Thing. These cast-offs and leftovers and items can't really be recycled, so they normally end up in the dump. I'm tying and attaching them all together into a big ball.

The framework is sort of an exoskeleton, that will still fit through doorways. The idea is to use up all of the crap in the house, working on the Ball inside, until it fills the exoskeleton. Then, it'll move outside. The WLBoPC started on February 19th, in conjunction with another annual project. This is the second year of participating in Thing-A-Day, where artists commit to making something every single day in February. I've been trying to do an hour of writing about the WLCoWSVoWLT, to capture the stories before I forget them, but in the middle of the month had to take a break and actually MAKE something.

My favorite part is the odd juxtaposition of items...

Found via Google Alerts: Ship in a Bottle, Port of L.A.

2011-02-26T14:56:00.000-06:00

The Port of Los Angeles unveiled a new public art sculpture this week as part of the Los Angeles Waterfront Redevelopment Project.

Created by internationally-acclaimed artist Mark Dion, "Ship in a Bottle" is permanently installed at the south end of Cabrillo Way, a short walk south from the 22nd Street Landing in San Pedro, CA.

"The L.A. waterfront public art program focuses on creating a unique experience, destination and sense of place to the waterfront, and making a connection between art, the region and residents here," said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.

Putting a contemporary twist on an historic and romantic seafaring craft, Dion's larger-than-life "Ship in a Bottle" art work incorporates an eight foot scale model of a container ship inside a 12-foot clear glass bottle. Sitting on a grassy mound in the midst of the Marina, the ship rests on a bed of crushed glass, and both the bottle and container ship appear to be floating out over the waters of the Port's outer harbor.

Read the rest on Martin Cox's Maritime Matters site

News Flash! Erika to Emcee Pancake Day Talent Show...

2011-02-24T21:44:00.002-06:00

KSCB Radio News has the scoop, straight from the Pancake Board... but here's the gist:

Emceeing this year’s Pancake Day Talent Show Mar. 7 will be Kansas artist Erika Nelson, who promises to bring her quirky sense of fun to the evening. Nelson has spent the last few years making the world’s smallest versions of the world’s largest things. These miniature replicas of some of the country’s weirdest attractions are now housed in her traveling museum, which she bills as “The World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Versions of the World’s Largest Things.”
Nelson recently garnered national attention as a guest on Conan O’Brien’s talk show in December.
"Anyone who happened to catch Erika's appearance on The Conan Show knows that she is bright, witty and able to handle herself in front of an audience,” said Sally Fuller, Pancake Day Talent Show Chairman...

Read the rest on the KSCB Talk Radio news release!

Found via Google Alert: WLCoWSVoWLT on Tumblr

2011-02-24T21:26:00.000-06:00

Yes, we at WLT Inc. Google ourselves. Sometimes actively, sometimes passively through Google Alerts. And it's a good thing, too, as you don't always know what press is floating around out there about you unless you engage in some Shameless Self-Googles now and then.

Spotted today, our listing on Tumblr, posted by This Belongs In A Museum:

http://thisbelongsinamuseum.tumblr.com/post/3469409467/say-this-next-museums-name-ten-times-fast-the

More Chair Debate from the Email Inbox: One for Missouri, one for Texas.

2011-02-21T18:39:00.001-06:00

Guinness World Records Names Route 66 Rocking Chair "World's Largest"

CUBA, MO The steel 42'1" rocking chair that took its place on Route 66 on April 1, 2008, celebrates its 2009 birthday with the Guinness World Records designation of Largest Rocking Chair. The Guinness designated Largest Rocking Chair adds one more Route 66 attraction to the Show-Me State, which bills itself as "Close to Home, Far From Ordinary."

Owners of the rocker, Dan and Carolyn Sanazaro, who grew up in Cuba, built the chair adjacent to The Fanning Outpost General Store to prompt travelers to stop and visit their complex of businesses: an archery range, a taxidermy shop, and a general store with lodge style décor, convenience items, and Route 66 mementos. The businesses center around a renovated Fanning, MO community building with a history as both a bar and a voting center at different times.

Read the rest at the Route 66 Association of Missouri Website

But, what about the Star of Texas?

Star of Texas, World's Largest Rocking Chair

It appeared at first as though drinking may have inspired Larry Dennis's peculiar masterpiece, but the bottle he was holding when he greeted me turned out to be nothing more than a frosty root beer. As I found out, Larry doesn't even drink. A tug on a strip of beef jerky is about as wild as he gets. "They used to call me Ol' Straight, Straight Larry," he confessed.

As I looked up at that colossal piece of furniture in the parking lot, though, I knew the soft-spoken carpenter could be a lot nuttier than he let on.

The chair stands in front of the Texas Hill Country Furniture and Mercantile, a rustic home-furnishings store outside Lipan, run by Larry and his wife Sherry. According to Larry, the idea for the big seat came to him after a visitor to the shop brought by a photo he had taken of a novelty rocker, 12 feet tall. Realizing what an attention-getter such a spectacle would be for the business, Larry set about creating one of his own.

Read the rest at Texas Twisted

From the Email Inbox: ISU campus's Reiman Gardens now has world's largest garden gnome, 15' tall

2011-02-21T17:04:00.001-06:00

WORLD'S LARGEST CONCRETE GNOME INSTALLED AT REIMAN GARDENS

Apr 9, 2010

Gnome is the Centerpiece of Reiman Gardens' Celebration of Garden Ornamentation

Ames, Iowa- Iowa State University's Reiman Gardens has an enormous new inhabitant, a garden gnome of gigantic proportions.

At 15-feet-tall and nearly 3,500 pounds, the yet unnamed creation is the World's Largest Concrete Gnome, besting the old record by two feet, set by a gnome in New York. A fiberglass replica located in Poland is reported to be taller, but not made of concrete.

Crafted by Andy and Connie Kautza, owners of National Rock and Sculpture, Inc., the gnome traveled 400 miles from Wausau, Wisconsin to its new home in the south-central neck the Gardens. Plans are to keep it for several years. Garden gnome figurines date back to the 1800's and are a good luck charm for gardeners and farmers.

The gnome displays will be in the Gardens until mid-October.

For more information contact 515-294-4412.

http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/index.cfm?nodeID=5704&audienceID=1&action=display&newsID=7044

And, another article about the Gnew Gnome:

Monday, April 12, 2010 -  Largest Concrete Gnome - world record set by Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa, USA -- Iowa State University's Reiman Gardens is now home to a 15-foot tall, 3,500-pound garden gnome, created by Andy and Connie Kautza in Wausau, Wisc., which sets the new world record for the Largest Concrete Gnome.

   Photo: Artist Andy Kautza, of Wausau, Wis., takes a metal tip off the peak of the largest concrete gnome in the world. Photo by Ronnie Miller/The Tribune (enlarge photo)

   The previous Guinness world record for the Largest Gnome was a gnome named Chomsky in upstate New York on the Kelder's Farm. Chomsky is only 13 feet, 6 inches tall and stand in front of miniature golf course.

   The world's Largest Concrete Gnome is made from concrete and stands a whopping 15 feet tall and weighs in at more than 3,500 pounds.

   Created by Andy and Connie Kautza in Wausau, Wisc., the Largest Concrete Gnome in the world traveled 400 miles to its new home in Ames, Iowa.

Reiman Gardens spent about $8,000 - all from privately raised funds - to have him built at National Rock and Sculpture in Wausau, Wis., which specializes in sculptures for amusement parks and zoos, and facility director Teresa McLaughlin expects the gardens will recoup three times that sum from increased attendance.

The world's Largest Concrete Gnome will enjoy the company of a cohort of about 20 other miniature gnomes painted and decorated by different Iowa organizations. By day, the gnomes may pose as sculptures, but legend has it, they're active at night and eager to help in the garden. Garden gnome figurines date back to the 1800s and are considered to be a good luck charm for gardeners and farmers.

Teresa McLaughlin, of Reiman Gardens, said the world's Largest Concrete Gnome is already getting a lot of attention, which is not surprising to Kautza who is used to stopping traffic when delivering his creations.

    "There is some fun just putting your arms around him and getting your picture taken," said McLaughlin.

    World's Largest Concrete Gnome facts
    • The giant gnome is 15 feet tall, weighs 3,500 pounds and required one cubic yard of concrete, which is enough to pave about 20 feet of sidewalk.
    • The gnome consists of two layers of concrete, including a scratch coat that covers its reinforced, iron-welded cage and metal lath, and a second coat that was sculpted, painted and sealed.
     • Underneath the nine colors of paint custom-mixed by Sherwin-Williams, the gnome is painted black to add definition to the textures and creases of the sculpture.

The gnome will be officially unveiled on April 22. Leaders at the facility will dedicate the pudgy giant during a ceremony, when it will receive its official name. Among the early entries in an ongoing contest: Knickernobbins, Ginkgowinkle, Whataschnozzle, Gnorbert, Gnelson, Gnormous and, rather inexplicably, Gilbert.

The celebration officially kicks off at noon on April 22, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, with a tree-planting ceremony with former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack, Iowa State Dean of the College of Agriculture Wendy Wintersteen and Ames Mayor Ann Campbell.

The gardens are located at 1407 University Blvd. near Jack Trice Stadium.

Hand-Drawn Book showing in Brooklyn NY!

2011-02-18T16:47:00.000-06:00

As a part of this year's Sketchbook Project from ArtHouse CoOp, our latest hand-drawn book can be checked out and perused at the show opening tomorrow at the Brooklyn Art Library.

Show runs February 19 - 27 if you want to see it in person, or you can browse through our latest line drawings from the road online: http://www.arthousecoop.com/submissions/43207-if-you-lived-by-youd-be-home-by-now

Thanks for playing!

-Erika Nelson, Director

WLT Inc.

They've got it! Find the our new Hand-Drawn Book in the 2011 Sketchbook Project tour...

2011-02-15T14:05:00.002-06:00

WLCoWSVoWLT now on Atlas Obscura

2011-02-02T14:28:00.000-06:00

They've been a long-time favorite of ours here at World's Largest Things, Inc., and now we're fortunate enough to have scored a listing on the Atlas Obscura site! Keep posted, for more A.O.-related news in the coming weeks, too...

http://atlasobscura.com/place/world-s-largest-collection-of-the-world-s-smallest-versions-of-the-world-s-largest-things

Thanks for the listing, Atlas Obscura!

From the Email Inbox: New Rubberband Ball Vying for Title

2011-02-01T14:26:00.001-06:00

From the L.A. Times, January 29, 2011

Tim Gardner, 23, has been working on his 400-pound rubber-band ball since he was 11. (Monica Cabrera, Allentown Morning Call / January 29, 2011)

An 11-year-old boy's hobby grows into a single-minded labor of love. It's not the world's biggest by a long shot, but at 400 pounds it's getting there.

It isn't that Tim Gardner has nothing to do. He has a job at Wal-Mart and a steady girlfriend. But the man from eastern Pennsylvania still finds time to knot thousands and thousands of rubber bands together and stretch them onto a rubber-band ball that weighs 400 pounds and lives in a museum on Staten Island, N.Y.

Lives in a museum? Well, no. "Occupies," maybe.

But it's hard not to think of Gardner's ball as a living thing. He talks to it — "Don't crush me, I gave you life!" — remembers its birthday (Aug. 2, 1999) and even named it: Timmy Jr.

It has been virtually his only hobby since that long-ago August day on his native Staten Island, when he was a bored 11-year-old looking to pass the time. He wound a rubber band into a ball by twisting it around his thumb. Then he added one to it. Then another.

You know how these things go. Before long, his rubber-band ball weighed 10 pounds. He looked up the record for the world's largest rubber-band ball, which at that time weighed something like 1,400 pounds.

"I could beat that," he thought.

When the ball reached 40 pounds, people started to take note. A reporter from the Staten Island Advance wrote about the boy with the rubber-band ball, who would tote it from place to place in a little cart, looking for donations of rubber bands.

"I had all the businesses on Victory Boulevard here," said Gardner, now 23, reminiscing as he wrapped another layer of bands on the ball at the Staten Island Children's Museum. "They all donated to me, so it never occurred to me to buy some."

When the ball reached 300 pounds, the museum contacted him and suggested he house it there, where children could marvel at it.

By that time — 2004 — the world record had increased to 3,120 pounds and was held by a man in Delaware. That did not discourage Gardner, who kept collecting bands of all sizes and colors and visiting the museum whenever he had 15 pounds or so to add to the ball.

That's become harder since June when he moved to Lehighton, a borough of about 5,500 residents 85 miles north of Philadelphia, and lost his old sources of rubber-band donors. He is hoping some publicity might prompt business owners around the surrounding Lehigh Valley to send rubber bands his way.

It's for the kids, after all.

"They'll bring school groups through the museum and it's just neat to see their faces when they get so excited," said Gardner's girlfriend, Jenny Wright.

The ball stands about 3 feet high. It thumps like a bass drum when you hit it. And it has eye-catching textures and colors.

"I've made it black and orange for Halloween," Gardner said. "Red and green for Christmas. Red, white and blue for the Fourth of July. I've done it all."

The record has increased exponentially since 2004, to 9,400 pounds. Some guy in Florida did that, under the sponsorship of an office supply chain. But Gardner looks at his goal as a lifelong one, and said he would keep adding to the ball even if he already held the record. You don't quit knitting just because the scarf is done.

Gardner is aware of exactly how silly this can sound to outsiders. He can be dryly witty about it, as evidenced by his response to colleagues at Wal-Mart who tell him he needs a new hobby.

"OK," he tells them. "I'll make a tinfoil ball.'"

daniel.sheehan@mcall.com

ALMOST! Not quite. New World's Largest Yo-yo a no-go.

2011-02-01T14:20:00.001-06:00

Plans for the World's Biggest Yo-Yo Spin Out of Control

from AOL News

Beth Johnson and her husband Tony realized they were at the end of their rope when their 12-foot-wide yo-yo fell to the ground, shattering their dream to set a new world record for the largest functioning yo-yo.

To take the title, the Jacksonville, Fla., couple needed to release their yo-yo -- which weighed more than 7,000 pounds -- from a height of at least 75 feet, then have it recoil three times, two-thirds of the way up each time, according to FirstCoastNews.com.

But after workers dropped the monstrous yo-yo from a crane, the rope that supported the giant toy burned through because of friction, sending the yo-yo crashing to the ground.

"It didn't do what I thought it would do," said Beth, who claims she and Tony worked seven hours a day for 18 months to build the wooden yo-yo.

Though the Johnsons were unable to build the world's largest functioning yo-yo, Guinness World Records officials are reportedly considering honoring their creation as the heaviest one ever constructed.

Read more at FirstCoastNews.com.

World's Smallest Mural

2011-01-29T16:49:00.003-06:00

In honor of Kansas' 150th Birthday today, I decided to create The World's Smallest Mural. While the design and wall prep happened yesterday, today, Kansas Day, saw the entire project come to fruition. Starting at 9 a.m., the mural was completed at 4:30, installed on the North wall of the WLT Home Base. I'll upload photos to Flickr, too, but here is the progression album on Facebook in the meantime:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104933&id=1297539397&l=7d55de5ea1

UPDATE! Got the Flickr set ready, with a description of all of the elements on the final mural shot. Enjoy - we had a lotta fun doing it for Kansas' 150th, Kansas Day, Jan. 29 2011.

"I'm SOMEBODY!" Biggest Kudos Yet for the WLCoWSVoWLT

2011-01-26T19:08:00.003-06:00

*SPOILER ALERT, AREA HS STUDENTS*

Just got two email messages in quick succession - I'm a question in the KSHSAA Scholars' Bowl!

From Rocky: HEY so i was helping with a scholars' bowl in natoma today, and one of the questions was about you!!! although someone from lincoln got it wrong....they said Jay Leno......what the heck right? dont worry, i glared at them..

From Rocky's Mom: By the way Erika. R. helped out with a Scholar's Bowl in Natoma today. One of the questions to the students was, "Erika Nelson of Lucas was on what late night talk show?" Student buzzed in Jay Leno! Beeeeep!! R. thought it was so neat to hear that. YOU ROCK GIRL YOU ARE NOW APART OF TRIVIA!!! WooHoo!!!

It's an honor. A true honor. Better than anything on the Shameless Self-Promotion bookshelf yet...

*answer: Erika was on Conan. See for yourself: Erika on Conan, Dec. 22, 2010

Watch out, Missouri - Texas wants one of the WLT Titles back...

2011-01-26T16:21:00.000-06:00

Taking Shape

John Pape of Pape's Pecan House shows off the big pecan under construction at Pape's Orchard & Farm Equipment, 5454 S. 123 Bypass. Two employees have been working for two weeks, putting wire mesh on the welded framework, and Pape said the work probably will take them about two more weeks. Then the big pecan will be taken to Red Ewald Inc. in Karnes City to be covered with fiberglass. After painting, it will be placed on display at the Big Red Barn, the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center. Pape said the big pecan will enable "Seguin and Guadalupe County to get back their fame" for having the world's largest pecan.

See the rest of the article in the Seguin Gazette - Locals Make Progress in Building of new World's Largest Pecan - January 25, 2011

From the Email Inbox: World's Largest Wren Image Request

2011-01-18T02:21:00.002-06:00

On the 'Worlds Largest Things' page there is a mention of a picture I would love to see.

Quote from page- "The A 1942 photo of the old WREN building in Lawrence KS (that's where the station started) shows two baby wrens flanking the doors." Is there anyway I could see that photo. I can not find a link to the picture. I live in Lawrence, Kansas and I remember the building and the wrens.

Thank You, C.G.

Hello, C.G. -

Attached is one of the few images I have of the building - it's a scan of a photocopy, with the original residing at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library. I believe the page I have is from their Kansas collection, from a flat file. Sorry there's not more out there, but I haven't yet combed through the Lawrence public library or historical society archives yet - hoping there will be some better info there too.

Photos c. 1946 or 1947, WREN Studios at 8th and Vermont - ony radio station in USA witha private swimming pool (it was a YMCA building before) - info written on back of image copy, either by the librarian or by the person who donated the images to the library.

Hope this helps, and thanks for your inquiry!

-Erika Nelson, Director

Newest Hand-Drawn Book Project!

2011-01-12T18:50:00.000-06:00

It's finally done, and scanned, and soon to be photocopied and sent off to the 2011 Sketchbook Project tour. Images will appear (gradually, thanks to dial-up limitations) on the Art House CoOp site, where our last project also lives. Here's the link to the newest iteration - "If you lived by... ...you'd be home by now"

Conan, Full Episode, Season 1 Episode 27

2010-12-28T19:17:00.003-06:00

...'cause the Erika Nelson clip doesn't include the SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT to LUCAS KANSAS!!!

Full Episode on Team Coco

LA Road Trip Day 9 - Almost there!

2010-12-28T18:47:00.002-06:00

12:30 a.m. - Home!

Slept in, called the folks, and started unpacking into the washing machine.

Some trip stats:

Odometer Start: 291980

Odometer End: 295455 (Eye Heart Toyota)

3475 Miles total, 1st 1747 miles done in 76 hours, 2nd 1728 miles done in 59 hours.

Lowest fuel price: $2.70.9/gal.

Highest fuel price: $3.69.9/gal.

440 Images (about 1/3 make it to the Flickr Photo Stream)

8 Days (plus 1/2 hour of an 9th)

6 States

6.2 Minutes of Fame (although I'm sure there's a ratio-based metric to determine actual Minutes of Fame quota, in relation to 15 Minute avg. max.)

LA Road Trip Day 8 - Christmas Day

2010-12-28T18:37:00.002-06:00

1:50 - Continental Divide. I love that the "no drinking" signs assume that truckers have a full bar set with martini glasses, cocktail olives, and swizzle sticks.

2:37 - Jackrabbit! Just sitting there, on the side of the road. I'm amazed each time I see one at how big they really are…

NAP

5:30 - OK, so the giant Roadrunner WAS at the rest stop I napped at, but not lit, so, drove 'round, fueled, and back to wait until daylight. Creepy Las Cruces thing - correctional facility and fairgrounds are at the same place.

7:00 - UP! Pics! Off!

7:15 - God a nod from a REALLY GOOD General Lee car - although Bo seemed to no longer be blonde, or Caucasian.

7:30 - Awww. Muffy. What'd they do to ya? Muffy and El Toro, NM 70

8:15 - White Sands, and more talk and checkpoint stops. Yes, I always get stopped.

8:40 - Alamargardo

8:45 -World's Largest Pistachio

WOW! Talarosa is COMPLETELY lined with luminaries! Traffic islands, curbs, the whole schebang - really makes the industrial parts look amazing.

2:30 - Texas!

Hereford - home of the Horrible Herd

3:54 - 295,000 miles - Happy Birthday Yet Again, Scout! (yes, dear reader, that would be 1000 miles in 24 hours…)

3:55 - 4:15 - Cadillac Ranch

6:40 - Oklahoma!

7:38 - Kansas!

8:30 - Moscow!

8:50 - Satanta has a teepee! On 56.

10:30 - Midway USA

LA Road Trip Day 7 - Christmas Eve, with a Very Wise Man

2010-12-28T18:35:00.002-06:00

Yesterday morning, room service with tiny little condiments. This morning, instant tapwater coffee and leftover French toast. And, if you're gonna have instant tapwater coffee, get the Spanish Espresso.

8:30 - Up! And searching for AA Batteries. Forgot what being in a crack community is like - motel had brilliant façade setup, just two rooms down from me. Only slightly exposed by the massive amount of NO TRESPASSING - NO LOITERING - NO SMOKING signs around the barred steel door they put in between the two 'rooms'… You could tell by the smell and the pole-thin androgynous person maniacally sweeping what was being made, and the piles and piles of bags inside the door attested.

8:40 - 10:40 - Salvation Mountain! Leonard wasn't here when I pulled up, but showed up soon afterwards. I almost didn't stop (as I'm shy…) but would have kicked myself if I'd have driven on… Drove around the Slabs a bit, too, spotted some of Rocket Bob's old vehicles. Did not locate East Jesus.

10:45 - Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Not a selling point…

So, how does Leonard manage to be such a pure strong light in the middle of the desolation? Maybe it takes that contrast to inspire the need - or the true giving of the spirit.

11:30 - Crop dusters in this area (AZ) - still crazy. Turns, UNDER high tension power lines…

11:55 - White truck with diagonal green stripes and that wall is absolutely ridiculous.

The same people who complain would complain more if their winter produce either got more expensive, or disappeared, and don't put the two concepts together at all.

2:30 - Yuma! Coyote Ridge! I used to live here…

3:10 - Passed inspection. Yes, I always get stopped.

3:22 - 294,000 miles - happy birthday yet again, little pickup!

4:15 - Cartoon cactus country.

7:05 - In-N-Out - before I lose any chance of eating at one on this trip…

8:15 - World's Largest Cow Skull! Amando AZ.

DID YOU KNOW - the highway signs South of Tucson are all in metric?

9:50 - THE THING?!? And backing up is fun to do…

10:50 - New Mexico

NAP

LA Road Trip Day 6

2010-12-28T18:33:00.002-06:00

9:00 - Up, packing, checking out but hanging out in the lobby. Had a nice conversation with the general manager of the hotel, and the valets washed the truck windshield. I think they may have finally taken me up on the offer to drive it around, too…

12:00 - 1:30 - Met with a producer over a stupendous French toast, thick cut artisan bread rolled in toasted almonds and corn flakes. More schemes they are a-hatchin'.

Off! Outta LA, to do some WLT biz.

L.A. traffic to Cabazon - yes, stop-n-go, but an Art Car can make all of this OK. Construction truck yells "LOVE IT! The Kansas license plate makes the whole thing!"

5:00 - Cabazonagain! This time without rain, and some great lighting…

6:50 - Salton Sea!

7:45 - Niland! What a difference a few hundred miles (and a few hundred dollars) makes…

DID YOU KNOW… there's Spanish Satellite/Dish Network? I didn't. It's awesome.

LA Road Trip Day 5 - WLCoWSVoWLT on CONAN, TODAY TODAY TODAY!!!

2010-12-28T18:32:00.002-06:00

Up!

Putzing! Trying to quell nerves…

1:00 - at studio. Yes, I'm early, but that's just what I do… Security guards exceptionally nice, asked about the Art Car, then directed me on a circuitous route to the Conan studio entrance (they called some buddies, wanted them to see, so the car had a bit of a parade.)

1:30 - 4:00 - Waiting, conversation with producer about final cut of models, talking with stage crew about attaching models to bases, people arriving and green room area getting crowded. Rehearsal, more waiting, hair and makeup, then it's time! Standing on a piece of tape waiting for the two large crew guys to open the curtains…

After 4:30 - ON! GREAT introduction, with a shout-out to Lucas, then I meet a very tall redhead who makes sure to say "Thank you for doing this!" as I walk over. Interview, commercial break, some more chit-chat with Conan and Andy, then hung out on the couch during Jimmie Vaughn. Went over to meet the band, say thanks, and back to pack things up.

WHEW! Back out into a downpour, and to the hotel to decompress.

8:00 - Picked up a nice dinner, a bottle of wine, and gonna watch Conan from a swanky Burbank hotel - whoop!

Erika on Conan! December 22, 2010

2010-12-23T10:07:00.001-06:00

Erika and the WLCoWSVoWLT on Overlooked

2010-12-22T17:24:00.000-06:00

LA Road Trip Day 4

2010-12-21T16:33:00.002-06:00

Day 4

9:00 - Mapping things out, still raining.

10:00 - coffeeshop with WiFi, but spotty enough not to be able to actually do anything, so am typing this. OK - gotta go!!!

1:00 - Giant Orange!

2:00 - Burbank! California! Hollywood Way! Here! I! Am! Valet stand never quite knows what to do when an Art Car pulls up - I gave them permission to drive it around the block a few times.

3:00 - meeting locals for dinner and a tour

3:30 - 9:00 - Amazing drive! Hollywood hills, LaBrea Tar Pits, Hollywood Bowl, saw the sights from the back of a Cruiser, then to a jaw-dropping Folk Art collection, and a nice meal in a (surprisingly crowded for a Tuesday) Zagat’s Most Popular restaurant…

10:00 - Conan! Super-extra bonus, he got the WLCoWSVoWLT name exactly right when reading off tomorrow’s guest list… Whoop whoop whoopity whoop!!!

LA Road Trip Day 3

2010-12-21T16:20:00.001-06:00

Day 3

8:30, 9:00 p.m., Rock shops and off

9:45 - Jackrabbit Trading Post!

Later - Twin Arrows - missed it 'till too late…

11:10 - Home of Andy Divine

1:40 - Nice conversation with a trucker (mac) and rest stop attendant (ed). Mac: "I've been seeing you since Flagstaff!"

1:55 - Roadkill Burro. First time I've ever seen that…

1:00 - California! (time zones again..)

1:05 - Inspection Station - yes, I'm always stopped, never just waved through…

1:30 - Eeeeek - $4.00 gas.

1:55 - Heart of the Mojave Desert. Decided to turn around and get back onto pavement.

Love the desert graffittee here… just stones piled on berms, spelling out names. Miles and miles and miles of names.

3:00 - Sheep Hole Mountains.

WHO KNEW? Depeche Mode doing the Rt. 66 song - a little rockabilly, a little goth. Me likey.

3:20 - 29 Palms, An Oasis of Murals

STUDCUTS. Barber shop. Yep, we've hit Marine Corps country.

3:50 - Desert Tortoise

3:55 - Flash Flood. Volkswagon Rabbit didn't make it.

4:40 - Claude Bell's Dinosaurs!

'tween 4:40 and 6:00 - horrible flooding, San Bernardino and Rialto. Wow.

6:00 - Sleepin' the Wigwam Way! I've just leveled up in the Roadside world.

LA Road Trip Day 2

2010-12-21T16:10:00.001-06:00

Day 2

9-ish, Drive 'rounds

9:40 - Stuckys! On 66… would it be completely sacreligious to my Roadside buds if I admitted that I don't 'get' the thing about 66? The SW has marketed it well, and it has a catchy jingle, but I suppose I'm just a Hwy. 50 gal myself…

10:02 - Ears popped, turned down radio

Came up on an older couple in tucumcari (can tell by the size of the car vs. size o' lil' whit heads, and the requisite Kleenex Box and Pillow in rear window) and saw that they passenger was in the 'takin pictures' position…

So, looked over and waved, and the driver (yes, a lil' old man) had about 20 facial piercings. Not lip or eyebrow, but facial. I Heart the American Road.

Noon - Noon Fifteen - Clives Corners - Old stop postcards!

Noon- Noon-fifteen - (bouncing between time zones, so just reporting what the phone says…) - 3 stops to find a TV Guide so I could have my public Steve Martin moment (I'm SOMEBODY! - phonebook scene from The Jerk). FINALLY! Found one, but no late-0night listings. Had to content myself with talking to the 9 people I talked to in parking lots along the way.

ZUZAX! Exit 178, NM Hwy 40 - that's gotta be a bazillion point score…

12:45 - passing by the World's Longest Tramway

Fancy car-wavin' day - Porsche in Albuquerque, and Provost tourbus and following crew bus with full-on curtains-aside faces-against-glass waving. Thanks, Whoever is On Tour!

Mile 135 - Rt 66 Hotel and Casino, may have the World's Largest Gravity Fed Gas Pumps for signage.. just across from the Rt. 66 bridge we visited at the Society for Commercial Archeology conference back in Aught Eight.

2:30 - Continental Divide

3:00 - "Ft. Courage - Take Pictures of Past - Don't Miss It"

3:20 - Arizona! And Painted Pony Indian Trading Post

3:30 - Largest Teepee in the Southwest

4:05 - Truck turned 293,000 miles! While going 82 MPH.

4:30 - Painted Desert

5:20 - Wigwam Village #6, TeePee #9. Tchotchkes, and some AMAZING sunset shots, then dusk and illumnated teepees and horses.

6:30 - Wine and cheese and smoke salmon, sleepin' the Wigwam Way, watching Grease and lounging in a log frame bed.

Los Angeles 2010 Trip - Day One

2010-12-19T09:33:00.000-06:00

TRIP LOG, Day One:

8:10 - OFF! Slight smattering of snow, and some great sunlight breaking through the fog...

8:40 - forgot phone at home of Bob Dole, have to go all the way back to the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas

Noon Oh Five - stopped by multi-award winning campground, at town with the World's Largest Prairie Dog and giant Buffalo Bill Killing Buffalo sculpture

1:50 - passing through home of the World's Largest Cow Hairball, got a triple espresso to go...

3:15 - epiphany - waterparks will be the gooney golfs of the future. I know what I mean, will explain later...

3:16 - ROADSIDE/KANSAS ENTHUSIASTS QUADRUPLE WHAMMY!!!! An historic World's Largest Book, flanked by a Boy Scout Liberty, AND a Madonna of the Plains, with the starting line of the International Pancake Race all on the same property.

3:22 - LOVE LOVE LOVE it - Hwy 54 here is named Pancake Boulevard!

3:35 - Oklahoma

5:35 - Hwy 54 and TX 807 - Tex! has suspicious crotch hole...

7:00 - Bluebird Motel closed, but neon still there... Palamino instead!

9:45 - typing this.

See more images on the Flickr Photo Stream...

From the Email Inbox: WWN Article on the World's Largest Cow Hairball...

2010-12-18T22:15:00.000-06:00

I knew a friend had something to do with this ickiest of Kansas' World's Largest Things, but had NO IDEA she made Weekly World News! WenDee has moved on up since those days of dealing with large spherical hair masses, and now works with the amazing Kansas Sampler Foundation.

The Hair Ball still resides in Finney County Kansas.

Lookit! There, on the TV Listing!

2010-12-16T20:20:00.000-06:00

It's official, I'm an artist. So the print may be too tiny to read, but over there, in the 10:59 p.m. slot, on the TBS line - Actor Jack Black, artist Erika Nelson; Jimmie Vaughan performs.

How cool is that?!?

Show Info for World's Smallest Versions of World's Largest Things on Conan!

2010-12-01T21:55:00.000-06:00

Spurred on by requests from WLT Members and fans, I'm giving a summation, and link to the donation page for World's Largest Things, Inc., if you want to help with the California trip for WLTs on Conan O'Brian on TBS.

We're heading out in December, for a Dec. 22nd Taping Date. If you'd like to make a tax-deductable donation to WLT Inc., you'll find a PayPal button on our Donate page, or you can send anything you want via post (cards of encouragement greatly appreciated, too!)

For the past month and a half, we've been talking to a producer for the new Conan show, working up images and videos to pitch an appearance.

I arrived home from a trip to find a message saying "Yes! Conan loved it!" So, the WLCoWSVoWLT will be traveling out to LA in December to be a part of the show...

Conan's new show has been a hit, and he's had a track record of having quirky offbeat items as a part of the new format. He's also brought back Andy Richter as a 'sidekick'. Tickets to the show are already sold out through December, so the audience approves heartily.

You can find out more at www.TeamCoco.com, watch full episodes, and register for a Pine Tree Air Freshener (car included). The WLCoWSVoWLT taping date (and, most likely, air date) is set for December 22nd - set your TiVos!

Special thanks to Family, Friends, and World's Largest Things members for your continued support. Keep on Living Large!!!

Distressing story from the L.A. Times - Roadside Attractions on the decline

2010-12-01T09:31:00.000-06:00

Corn Palace is a husk of its former self

Roadside attractions like the kitschy South Dakota building are drawing fewer and fewer visitors every year. Many owners face the choice to revamp — but how? — or shut down.

By Tina Susman, Los Angeles Times - December 1, 2010

Reporting from Mitchell, S.D. —

In the cornucopia of kitschy roadside attractions, few rival the Corn Palace, a monument to maize that rises from this prairie town's main drag like a Hollywood prop tossed off the back of a big rig barreling down the interstate.

Its green-and-yellow onion domes and spires tower over Main Street, an otherwise unremarkable avenue of low-rise buildings. Golden husks and hundreds of thousands of colorful cobs — held in place by more than a ton of nails, wires and staples — blanket the exterior. Inside, the enticing aromas of popped corn, candied corn and raw ears of corn float down hallways lined with old photographs of the World's Only Corn Palace, as it is described in fliers and on billboards.

But times and tastes have changed since the Corn Palace gained fame in 1892, and there is concern about dwindling visits to the attraction, which is key to the economy in this southeastern South Dakota town of 14,500.

Read the rest on the L.A. Times Website...

From the Email Inbox: Article on World Records set by Colleges

2010-11-30T23:13:00.000-06:00

A fun a crazy list of feats from Accredited Colleges across the US:

College students often have a reputation for procrastinating, over-sleeping, and being too wrapped up in their own academics and social lives to offer anything to society. But as these projects prove, it takes a lot of organization, dedication and stamina to set a world record. From recycling to organ donation to dodgeball, these college students have turned regular community, social and advocacy events into something even more impressive.

World's Largest Skateboard, World's Largest Twister Mat, World's Longest Kiss - see 'em all after the jump:

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/11-impressive-world-records-set-by-college-students/

Enjoy!

-e

Lucas Mural in "The Edge" - pps 1, 4-5.

2010-11-30T10:46:00.000-06:00

Previous Newsletter, now online...

2010-11-25T11:02:00.000-06:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More americana

Now Online: Flickr Set for Conan

2010-11-24T10:38:00.000-06:00

In working towards the upcoming Conan appearance, I've been working on a Flickr set of World's Largest Things images with their accompanying World's Smallest Versions... Here's the set, full of stories and anecdotes, of the short-listed items that may accompany me in December:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldslargestthings/sets/72157625441342904/

It's one of the few times I've photographed some of the WSVs, and I'm happy with 'em so far...

Enjoy!

-Erika Nelson, Director

From the Email Inbox: World's Largest Menorah, NYC.

2010-11-21T14:24:00.000-06:00

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2010 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — The World's Largest Chanukah Menorah will be proudly standing at New York's most fashionable plaza, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, by Central Park, between the Plaza and the Pierre Hotels. The first candle will be lighted on Wednesday evening December 1, and the full Menorah will be lighted on Wednesday evening December 8. All weekday lightings are at 5:30 PM. Over the years the World's Largest Menorah was lighted by New York City Mayors, Abraham Beame, Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg, Governors Mario Cuomo, George Pataki and David Paterson, United States Senators Jacob Javits and Charles Schumer, as well as many other dignitaries.

"The Menorah stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy, strength and inspiration, delivering a timely and poignant message to each person on an individual basis," said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director Lubavitch Youth Organization.

The Menorah was certified by Guinness World Records as the World's Largest. It was specially designed by world renowned artist Yaacov Agam who lighted the Menorah many times. It was inspired by a hand drawing by the Rambam (Maimonides) of the original Menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

REBBE PERSONALLY APPROVED MENORAH

The Menorah stood in miniature on the desk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe who personally approved its form. The Rebbe wanted this Menorah to be the world's largest and when there was talk about making a large Menorah in another city the Rebbe asked for that city's Menorah to be smaller.

The 32-foot high, gold colored, 4,000 pound steel structure will be lighted nightly with genuine oil lamps. Specially designed glass chimneys will protect the Chanukah lights from the Central Park winds.

Due to the height of the Menorah, it will be lit nightly with the help of a Con Edison "cherry-picker" crane as well as two lifts that lift the lighters to the "Menorah Heights."

In Defense of the World's Smallest Corn Maze

2010-11-18T09:45:00.000-06:00

During a summer of challenging discussions of Big and Small-ness, many tenets of the World's Smallest Versions of World's Largest Things were challenged. One of the early projects, the World's Smallest Corn Maze, was summarily dismissed as invalid as it didn't use miniature corn. Here, dear WLT Fans and members, is the rebuttal:

OK, so long drives are great for think-time, and it hit me somewhere in the back alleys of Junction City that I am right, *name deleted for protection of the guilty* is wrong. The World's Smallest Corn Maze was totally completely awesome, and the perfect example of the genre.

Criticism of the size of the corn itself is an invalid argument - in the metrics inherent in the Corn Maze genre, the size of the maze (and the extrapolated superlatives) are based on square footage covered, or total path length, NOT the size of the element used in the structure. If I were making a World's Smallest Version of the World's Largest Corn Maze, then YES, I would need to use miniature corn. In making the World's Smallest Corn Maze, the elements necessary in making a corn maze are all addressed -

1. Choice of path (otherwise, it's a labyrinth)

2. Corn (single row, in elevated beds to further emphasize path)

3. Obscured goal (turns) ('cause a straight-line row of corn is just a row of corn, not a maze)

The unit of measure used in the established Corn Maze world is miles (and segments of miles) of path - the World's Largest Corn Maze title is awarded to the longest path maze, not a maze made of super-sized corn (although that, too, would be AWESOME). The World's Smallest Corn Maze, measuring in at .022727 (independently verified by two sources), meets all of the above criteria while being a concise and effective example of this seasonal agrarian form of family amusement.

World's Smallest Corn Maze, Autumn 2003, World's Largest Things Home Base, Lucas Kansas = Awesome.

Keep the challenges coming - I need to get my brain up to speed for the BIG BIG BIG Event, coming in December...

-Erika Nelson, Director, World's Largest Things Inc.

home of the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things Sideshow Extravaganza, and NEW EXHIBIT of the World's Smallest Collection of the World's Largest Versions of the World's Smallest Things

WLCoWSVoWLT makes "Reasons We Love Kansas" list!

2010-11-17T14:36:00.000-06:00

Kansas! Magazine turns 65 this year, and in their special expanded Anniversary Issue (Winter 2010, Volume 66 Issue 4), we made the Reasons We Love Kansas list:

"IT'S HUGE. See everything that's the world's smallest version of the world's largest things at Lucas' World's Largest Things Inc. It's a forum to research and discuss the attraction of "Roadside Vernacular Architecture." worldslargestthings.com" We're entry number 55, on p. 14.

Yay, WLTs and Lucas Kansas! It's an impressive list, with the likes of Gordon Parks, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, "Grandma" Layton, just to name a few... we're honored to be a part of the Kansas patchwork. Thanks, Kansas Magazine!

In today's mail: World's Smallest Letter

2010-11-17T12:23:00.005-06:00

Received today, the World's Smallest Letter!!!

... sent from a World's Largest Things member, Ranjit. Thank you! It was hard to make myself open the package, but curiosity got the best of me. Here's the initial package, sealed for my protection:

Inside that package, a 10x folding magnifier, and another package:

Inside that 'nother package, a tiny envelope, also sealed for my protection, containing a tiny congratulatory note from a friend. To show tininess of said note, it's pictured here with a quarter*:

*Quarter is actually a miniature replica quarter. Shown here with actual quarter:

Thanks again, Ranjit! This will become a part of the WLCoWSVoWLT Tiny Correspondence archive - I believe that scale-wise, it's the wee-est yet, beating out the University of Chicago's Scav Hunt submission from 2008.

THIS JUST IN - World's Largest Bar of Soap, Tonganoxie KS

2010-11-17T12:07:00.000-06:00

Info sent in by Vintage Soap and Bath:

It is made out of chicken wire and paper mache. We made it for a parade here last August."

Thanks!

Lana Howe, Vintage Soap & Bath, Tonganoxie,Ks

From the Email Inbox - World's Largest Spur Abilene KS

2010-11-17T12:06:00.000-06:00

Aerial shot taken by a Kansas Explorer... in a plane.

It's that time again! We're doing another hand-drawn book project, through these guys:

2010-11-14T10:04:00.002-06:00

WLT Online profiles

2010-11-07T18:21:00.003-06:00

One of the difficult parts of living in the tech world is keeping track of web identities, especially when you have the added aggravation of being both an independent artist and educator AND the face of World's Largest Things. Here's a start of the list:

World's Largest Things, Inc. on Google Maps

Erika on Google People

World's Largest Things, Inc. on Blogger

World's Largest Things on Facebook

World's Largest Things on Issuu

WLCoWSVoWLT Hand-Drawn Book on art house co-op

Erika/WLT on art house co-op

Erika/WLT on Flickr

World's Largest Things on Posterous
(where we do our Thing-A-Day stories)

Erika/WLT on Posterous

Erika on culturehall

As you can see, some sites are more, um, complete than others, but this gives some idea of the breadth of the World's Largest Things web... All in addition to the old favorite home site:

World's Largest Things Incorporated Home Site

BIG NEWS - WLCoWSVoWLT on Conan!

2010-11-06T12:44:00.001-05:00

Big News from the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things! For the past month, we've been talking to a producer for the new Conan show, working up images and videos to pitch an appearance.

After arriving home from a team presentation to an Arts Alliance in Kansas City, I found a message saying "Yes! Conan loved it!" So, the WLCoWSVoWLT will be traveling out to LA in December to be a part of the show...

Whoop whoop whoop whoopity whoop! It was exciting even before the "Yes!", as the producer said the collection was a big hit at the office (blush), but now, we're cookin' with heat. I'll keep you posted on actual film date (you could be part of the studio audience!!!) and air date as soon as we iron out details.

Until then, keep on Living Large! And small... Couldn't do it without the support of all of you, Family, Friends, and WLT Members. Thanks for believing in the stories behind Roadside Vernacular Architecture!!!

-Erika Nelson, Director

World's Largest Things, Inc.

(photo from the Team Coco website, of fan Allison Hoffman's awesome Yarn Blimp. Glad to see they appreciate the handmade and the quirky!)

World's Largest Teapot

2010-11-03T18:16:00.000-05:00

Ok, this one takes the cake. Or biscuit. Or whatever you'd like to have with your tea... Originally posted on Free Entertainment Blog

China's Meitan County is known as the "hometown of Chinese green tea", and the reputation of Meitan green tea has surpassed national borders, so there was really no better place to build a museum of tea culture. As fascinating as visiting this place may be to tea lovers, we're more interested in its unique architecture. Shaped like a giant clay teapot, and accompanied by a smaller building shaped like a tea cup, the Meitan tea museum is one of the weirdest looking museums in the world. Seen from a distance, it looks like just a strange teapot sculpture, but as you approach it, the windows give away its true purpose. With a maximum diameter of 24 meters, and a capacity of 28,360.23 cubic meters, the Meitan tea museum is by far the world's largest teapot.

Google Places Updated! Now with Video...

2010-11-03T13:23:00.000-05:00

With chills in the air putting a stop to outside work, we at WLT Inc. are back to webbin. Todays Project: Updating our Google Places profile, which links to Google Maps and other small business sites... take a look! Now with photos and video (even one in Mandarin!)

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:b8a4dca434b9e38b&mid=1288808577

New York Roadside Attractions

2010-11-01T06:49:00.000-05:00

Ran across this list for the state of New York - they've got Quirky!

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/get_to_know_and_see_central_ne.html

List of what you'll read about:

1. Mastodon, DeRuyter Lake

2. World's Largest Pancake Griddle, Penn Yan

3. World's Smallest Church, Oneida

4. Pyramid Monument, Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse

5. Veronica's Sculpture Garden, Indian River

6. Giant Pack of Pep-O-Mint Life Savers, Gouverneur

7. Spirit House, Georgetown

8. Lighthouse Post Office, Eaton

9. Giant Crows, Fisher's Landing

10. Plainville Farms' Bronco Tom Turkey, Cicero

American Road Podcast with the Big Little Big girl...

2010-10-31T17:39:00.003-05:00

American Road magazine just started a new series on their website, with podcasts from roadside enthusiasts. I was happy to find out the WLCoWSVoWLT is the first in the series, available now on their blog:

American Road Trip Talk

Poland to build world's largest Jesus Christ statue

2010-10-18T19:37:00.000-05:00

A small Polish town has sought to place itself on the global tourist map by building the world's largest statue of Jesus, eclipsing Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer.

Swiebodzin, a Polish town of 21,000 near the German border, will soon be home to a 33-metre effigy of Christ, which, along with a crown that adds a further two metres and its 16-metre mound will put all other statues dedicated to the son of God in its shade.

Due for completion in November, the monument should pip the world's current record holder, Bolivia's Cristo de la Concodia statue, by some nine metres, and look down on the world famous statue in Rio de Janeiro, which stands just 30 metres tall minus its plinth.

Although erected ostensibly to show gratitude to God, the town hopes having the massive statue will bring tourists into a community that has lain off the beaten track for most of its existence.

"If we had opened a racetrack or a golf course here, tourists would have come only for the season. But with a statue of Jesus the season will last the whole year," a local official told Wprost, a weekly news magazine.

With construction nearing the end, engineers face the hazardous task of lifting the figure's massive head and shoulders into place, which, officials say, might require the use of a helicopter.

- Matthew Day in Warsaw

Big Things: Souvenir Plate - Bing Travel

2010-10-07T08:31:00.000-05:00

This morning on Bing Travel and the MSN Home Page - an article about Big Things, with the World's Largest Souvenir Travel Plate in the lineup!

Check out this page on Bing Travel:

http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=Big+Things%3a+Souvenir+Plate&FORM=RQTRAV

Chrysler's World's Largest Banner, sorta'

2010-10-05T17:44:00.001-05:00

Mural Dedication, Sept 19, 2010

2010-09-20T18:28:00.002-05:00

Community Mural Dedicated, Newton Kansan, September 20 2010

NEWTON —

By Christine Wyrick
Newton Kansan
Newton’s new community mural, “The Imagineers,” was dedicated Sunday afternoon in a ceremony that featured dancing, music, speeches — and a lot of sunshine on a 93-degree day.
About 100 people attended the event, which unveiled the mural, a project sponsored by the Mid-America Arts Alliance based in Kansas City, Mo., and the National Endowment for the Arts, on the north side of Combs Organ Co. on Main Street.
Twelve cities competed to host the project, which was fully funded by those two organizations.
Barb Burns, the city’s community advancement coordinator, who along with Rachel Epp Buller from Bethel College served as co-chairwomen for the 2010 Kansas Mural Project, said Newton is the only community in Kansas to host such a painting.
Among those in attendance was a contingency from Joplin, Mo., which is considering applying for the community mural grant in the future.
Community members were involved in the project from the beginning, giving their ideas for what should be included in the mural and actually helping paint the mural.
“... I hope this strengthens the way we come together to work on projects and come to a common good,” Burns said.
Dave Loewenstein, a nationally recognized mural artist, was brought in to guide the project. He had two other professional Kansas artists assist him — Erika Nelson of Lucas and Matthew Farley, a Wichita native.
“This art is for everyone,” Loewenstein said. “It is not to be bought or sold.”
Loewenstein encouraged the community to work on other projects together.
“We hand the baton over to you,” he said. “Go out and make more murals, more sculpture, more parks, increase the size of your farmer’s market,” he said. “Whatever it is, you’ve proven you can do this.”
Nelson said the artists hope community members will come and study the mural to see what images they take from the mural. Some of the images are clear — others are not, she said.
Among the clearly seen images are people of differing ages, a quilt, technology, the clouds on the water tower, a drink, railroad references, birds, trees and a cultivated field.
“Some you’ll have to investigate your own community to (figure) out,” she said.
“Approaching the mural, one sees a group of people around a table engaged in the process of building, playing, restoring and imagining,” the program at the dedication stated. “These figures are symbolic of the Newton/North Newton community. They re not particular people, but a composite of the many and varied citizens in our area ...”
Nelson it was interesting to see people watch the mural come together the last two months.
She said a couple of people stopped by twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening — to see the latest updates. Another couple came each night to point out areas with a laser pointer.
“Investigate what the mural might mean,” Nelson said. “There are hidden gems in there. You have community stories reflected back at you in unexpected ways.”
One of the highlights of the dedication was a performance by a group of dancers organized and choreographed by Sara Dick especially for the mural project.
The dance, with live music to accompany it, included the dancers — a group that included children through seniors — interpreting their favorite places in Newton and North Newton, such as parks and schools.
They also jokingly teased their least-favorite place in Newton was sitting in a car waiting for a train to pass. Ironically — or perhaps fittingly — a train passed by with whistles blowing just after that.
The dance group included Danika Bielek, choreographer; Helen Bertrand; Emily Blaine; Emma Kliewer; Paige Kliewer; Luella Lohrentz; Olivia Lyles; Marlene Smucker; and Stan Smucker.
The musicians were Jesse Graber, Eric Schrag and Matthew Dudte.
Perry White, president of Bethel College, said public art being used as a way to tell stories has been around for thousands of years.
He said the group is considering options for lighting the mural at night and landscaping around the mural.
“We hope this spurs other community projects,” he said.
Epp Buller thanked the design team for their efforts. The design efforts started about two months ago, with much of the design work done at the Carriage Factory Gallery with the help of director Joe Loganbill.
A red ribbon was cut by Ellie Bradley, a student at Santa Fe Fifth/Sixth Center, who was a member of the design team with her mother.
Other members of the design team were Ray Olias, Jesse Graber, Diane Epp, Los Fernandez, Amy Yountz, Bob Regier, Erin McDaniel, James Janzen, LaDonna Voth, Susan Jantzen, Phil Epp, Pat Washburn, Beth Burns, Ellie Burns, Joe Regier, Pat Hines, Mike Combs, Jim Wimmer, Mikala Gingerich-Gaylord and Loganbill.
Joe Regier Construction donated hydraulic lifts and other equipment for the artists to use during painting. Michael Combs donated the space on his building for the project.
Mural project partners were Vada Snider, Greg Elder Construction, Reba’s, Conrad Snider, Chuck and Cindy Regier, Bethel College and the city of Newton.
“This has been the highlight of the last year,” Loganbill said. “We wanted to do something good for the community. It’s a really good piece of art.”

From the Newton Kansan

2010-09-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

COMMUNITY MURAL NEARS COMPLETION - Newton, KS - The Newton Kansan

How do you make the World's Largest Omlette in the World's Largest Frying Pan?

2010-09-04T11:15:00.000-05:00

Easy - strap bacon to the feet of a model, have her skate around the pan, and fry 'er up! Here's a great pic of the amazing event, as read about originally on the World's Largest Egg page:

http://www.worldslargestthings.com/washington/egg.htm

10' French Fries from Turco, Buffalo NY

2010-07-23T09:25:00.000-05:00

They scoff at your measly 3' French Fry... Here's the whole story:

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article78666.ece

Carhenge in Pictures

2010-07-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

There are some spectacular images here, including this fisheye comparison of Carhenge and Stonehenge. Enjoy!

http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/2010-6june-carhenge/carhenge-car-henge-10.jpg

First Ebay Listing of WLCoWSVoWLT card!

2010-07-19T12:25:00.002-05:00

This just in! Our Topps Allen and Ginter Card, first listing on Ebay. Found in the wild, and currently up for bid. They're going for anywhere from 10 - 30 dollars at the moment, depending on scarcity.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-Allen-Ginter-Worlds-Biggest-WORLDS-LARGEST-/170513292488?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Baseball&hash=item27b3625cc8

And, here's another auction for a WLCoWSVoWLT card: http://cgi.ebay.com/WORLDS-BIGGEST-Worlds-Largest-2010-Allen-Ginter-WB20-/250668318910?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Baseball&hash=item3a5cff00be

First spotting of WLCoWSVoWLT Allen & Ginter card!

2010-07-19T10:26:00.001-05:00

That's right, now that the 2010 Allen and Ginter series from TOPPS is available in retail stores (Target, Mart that Shall Remain Nameless, and K-Mart), the World's Biggest set is starting to emerge. The first of our own cards (see top row, right) just sold on EBay for twenty bucks... Yes, for just one little tiny card. Our card.

Did I mention that I'd be making a World's Largest Version of this World's Smallest Card of World's Biggest Topps A&G Set featuring the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things? Yes, the meta keeps on going, and I feel some sort of universal inversion now that I'm making a WL Version instead of a WS Version... AAAAH! WHERE will it END!!!

Review of the WLCoWSVoWLT Sideshow Extravaganza from last week's Catsup Fest in Collinsville!!

2010-07-19T10:21:00.002-05:00

Read about it here at the Craves, Caves, and Graves blog

Join Us at the Catsup Festival!

2010-07-10T07:23:00.001-05:00

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY in Collinsville Illinois! Look for the people having fun, mid-sized replicas of the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, and the WLCoWSVoWLT SIDESHOW EXTRAVAGANZA with the World's Smallest Version of same said Catsup Bottle. This year's fest is at the Collinsville American Legion, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

World's Largest Skateboard Folly

2010-07-09T14:36:00.003-05:00

AND, got a shoutout on the related post from Bean at KROQ-LA - did a radio interview w/ Kevin and Bean in the Morning back in Aught 5 or so...

Our 2010 Allen & Ginter Card! WLCoWSVoWLT front

2010-07-01T11:08:00.000-05:00

Our 2010 Allen and Ginter Card! WLCoWSVoWLT back view

2010-07-01T11:07:00.000-05:00

Escabana Michigan - W.L. Yoyo Designers

2010-06-30T15:08:00.000-05:00

Class tries to break record - CAD students attempt world's largest yo-yo

By Ashley Hoholik, POSTED: June 30, 2010, Daily Press

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/519875.html?nav=5003

ESCANABA - Popularized in the 1930s, the yo-yo is making a comeback - but not as the familiar child's toy. A 1,625 pound version of the simple, amusing toy will debut in July, courtesy of the Bay College Computer Aided Design (CAD) class.

The 11 foot, six-inch diameter yo-yo is part of the class' latest run to commandeer yet another world record title. Previous CAD class world record attempts include the world's largest golf tee and the world's largest skateboard.

The official drop will occur at 7 p.m., July 6 in the Bay College parking lot off of Danforth Road. Judges for the drop include: Bay College President Laura Coleman, State Representative Judy Nerat and Vice President of Delta Manufacturing Jean Ross - among others.

The current record for the world's largest functioning yo-yo was set by a group of college students from Manchester, England. It was 10 feet tall, five inches in diameter, weighed 896 pounds, and was dropped from a height of 189 feet.

Looking to defeat this record is the seven member Bay CAD team, which includes: Ryan Fairbanks (team leader), Jacob Nietling, Mark Cocco, Matt Yadro, Jessica Potvin, Viki Branstrom and Adam Hoffman. Though the team has already constructed a larger yo-yo, they must now ensure its functionality - dropping it from a crane and propelling the device back up at least once, with witnesses present. Usage of the crane has been donated by Ness Contracting, so now all the students have to anticipate is whether the structural integrity of the yo-yo can withstand the drop.

"On the test drops, I'm pretty sure it won't break. The test drops are only 20 or 30 feet, so its not able to generate that much force, because at those heights it is only around 7,000 pounds of force," explained Fairbanks. "The 90-foot drop is around 18,000 pounds of force, though, so it is quite a bit of difference."

While Fairbanks expresses confidence in the metal components, axle of the yo-yo, and rope, which is rated at 81,000 pounds, he and the group have some apprehension about whether the wood will make it through the process. For this reason, CAD Instructor Jerry Havill has worked with the class and college to outline possible risks and how to prevent them.

"The higher we go, the more danger there is, and if it breaks, then we have to consider people, property and everything else - at 90 feet the risk is higher," said Havill. "The process itself has been thoroughly presented to the college itself, as well as the risk manager for the college system, and so we've looked at things very carefully...we've taken all the steps, but when you drop it, you can't guarantee that it won't break."

Other considerations that have been made are wind and crane movement - both of which will be monitored by the crane operator. If conditions prove too unfavorable, the drop will be called off. A perimeter will be set up around the drop site to ensure the safety of audience members.

Over the past several months, the CAD class has used manpower, welding and glue to construct the steel and wood yo-yo. The current version of the yo-yo was adapted from a smaller yo-yo designed by the class. The larger yo-yo is an replica of the smaller version and exactly 40 times larger. The total cost for the construction of the yo-yo has been just over $12,000, which has been primarily raised by the CAD students through various fundraisers and work.

"We received a $5,000 sponsorship and 300 yo-yos to sell from Yo-Yo Factory.com - they will actually be coming up for the drop," said Fairbanks. "We've been working on it for the past four or five months, probably a minimum of four hours a day, so it's quite a bit of time we've put into it."

The requirements put forth by the Guinness World Record officials include creating: a yo-yo that consists of two equally sized, but not especially equally weighted pieces of plastic, wood or metal; a yo-yo that is demonstrated to work in front of judges; and published specifications of the yo-yo, including the weight, the length of the rope, and the diameter.

According to Havill, the entire project has been a valuable experience for the students, who have had unprecedented local support.

"This project has had more local companies involved than any of the other projects," he explained. "We've had three companies with major involvement, and then a lot of other companies that have been involved and helping by either just charging us cost or volunteering their time or equipment."

The most important aspect of the yo-yo construction process, notes Havill, was the student dedication.

2010 Allen and Ginter Box Busters - an inside look at sports card collectors...

2010-06-30T14:06:00.001-05:00

Big News from World's Largest Things, Lucas Kansas

2010-06-29T23:39:00.002-05:00

BIG NEWS from Word's Largest Things, Inc., in Lucas Kansas - we have a collector card in the new Topps Allen and Ginter set, due to be released June 30, 2010! While we haven't seen our own card yet, it will be exciting to hear of collectors finding them 'in the wild' in the coming weeks...

Thank you for your attention!

-Erika Nelson, World's Largest Things Inc., home of the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things

CONTACT: Erika Nelson, World's Largest Things Inc., info@worldslaregestthings.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 30, 2010

Queen of Kansas Quirky gets own Topps Collector Card

Lucas artist Erika Nelson's "World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things" featured in the Topps 2010 Allen and Ginter Collector Card set, due to be released June 30, 2010.

Due to be released on June 30, and in card stores Thursday July 1st, the new 2010 Allen and Ginter set of retro-themed baseball cards will include a regional favorite - the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things. Lucas KS based artist Erika Nelson was contacted in February by the head of image licensing about including the WLCoWSVoWLT in the 2010 series after the head of marketing found the World's Largest Things website. The initial call came as the Topps executives were still chuckling over the theme song, and a deal was swiftly struck, pairing Kansas' supurlative-sporting attraction and an industry leader in sports trading cards.

Allen and Ginter, a Richmond, Virginia, tobacco manufacturing firm, created the first cigarette cards for collecting and trading in 1875. In 2006, Topps resurrected the name, producing a specialty line of cards in a vintage style. In addition to modern and historical baseball figures, the sets included special quirky insert subjects - relic cards with real objects from famous people (a piece of JFK's sweater), or a special Sailors of the Seven Seas series. A set of signature cards encourage folks to collect autographs from a wide range of people including Erika and her collection, illusionist David Blaine, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, and fire eater Hubertus Wawra.

Allen and Ginter sets also include special wooden or silk cards in some of their packages, cards that fold out like books, and special 'rip' cards that hide a small card inside a larger card, only revealed if you physically rip open the larger card. Since it is one of the specialty collector sets, you'll have to seek out a hobby shop that still deals in sports cards. There are only a half-dozen official Topps retailers in Kansas, and the owner of The Arena in Salina feels that this years A&G set will sell out quickly, due to a last-minute inclusion of Stephen Strasburg in all Topps releases, starting with the Allen & Ginter series.

Kansas "Topps of the Class" stores include: The Sports Dome, 1000 Massachusettes, Lawrence; Lobos Sports Cards, 1016 S Oliver, Wichita; Rock's Dugout, 3232 N. Rock Rd., Wichita; The Arena, 127 N. Santa Fe, Salina; Star Sportscards, 806 A East 4^TH, Hutchinson; and Baseball Card Shop, 2332 Main, Great Bend.

Since the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things is one of the autograph cards, when you send one in to the World's Largest Things Home Base (PO Box 101, Lucas KS, 67648) for a signature, you'll receive an additional postcard of the New Sideshow Extravaganza banner featuring the collection. It's a meta-collectors dream, and a great honor for one of Kansas' Quirkiest to be a part of this historic set.

####

Media Contact:

Erika Nelson, World's Largest Things, Inc.

PO Box 101, Lucas KS

785-760-0826

info@worldslargestthings.com

Hyundai builds World's Largest Vuvuzela

2010-06-25T15:28:00.002-05:00

From the Autoevolution blog:

Oh, no, they really had to do this... After our ears got trashed by the now two-week long, relentless Vuvuzela sound, after our brains have become a gelatinous paste as a result of the billions of bees invading our homes from the screens every day, three times a day, after all of that, Hyundai had to come up with this...

Meet the world's largest, biggest, longest, loudest Vuvuzela. Created by the South Korean manufacturer, who, by the way, is the official car supplier of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the 114-foot-long... tube sits on top of an unfinished bridge in Cape Town.

From there, as a game, any game, is about to start, the Vuvuzela releases its millions of bees on the poor Cape Town residents' heads. Yes, you read it right, the damn thing works. You can find the proof in the video below.

The Vuvuzela has been placed there by Hyundai's advertising agency The Jupiter Drawing Room, to be the epitome of Hyundai's "Bring the Gees" campaign.

If, by accident, you have been living in a secluded cave somewhere on the Moon, the chances are you don't know what a Vuvuzela is. Described by South Africans as football's beautiful noise, the Vuvuzela is a brightly colored, meter long trumpet. A trumpet which, South African says, sounds like an elephant.

Really?

Listen to the one below (which, by the way, sounds more like a ship coming into port). Does it sound like an elephant? Open your TV and listen to tens of thousands of Vuvuzela being constantly blown throughout any given game. Do they sound like elephants?

Another roadside attraction smote (smited? smitten?) by God.

2010-06-18T15:31:00.001-05:00

6-story Jesus statue in Ohio struck by lightning Monday, June 14, 2010

Sculpture nicknamed 'Touchdown Jesus' because of way arms were raised

All that remains of the six-story-tall "King of King's" statue of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, outside the Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio, after it was struck by lightning in a thunderstorm Monday night and burned to the ground.

MONROE, Ohio - A six-story statue of Jesus Christ was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, leaving only a blackened steel skeleton and pieces of foam that were scooped up by curious onlookers Tuesday.

The "King of Kings" statue, one of southwest Ohio's most familiar landmarks, had stood since 2004 at the evangelical Solid Rock Church along the Interstate 75 freeway in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati.

The lightning strike set the statue ablaze around 11:15 p.m. Monday, Monroe police dispatchers said.

This has also let to a Religious Icon Deathpool (by lightning) - nominations for said pool are the Groom, Effingham, and Ohio giant crosses, and the Praying Hands in Tulsa OK.

Front page, today's Salina Journal - the new Smoky Hill River Festival collaboration

2010-06-10T13:01:00.003-05:00

Bill Godfrey assembles his fabric panels on the Fourth Street bridge on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in Oakdale Park in preparation for the Smoky Hill River Festival. (photo by Jeff Cooper/Salina Journal)

Joe Clark (left) and Erika Nelson work on an art installation at the tennis courts in Oakdale Park on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 in preparation for the Smoky Hill River Festival. (photo by Jeff Cooper/ Salina Journal)

Artist Blind Date - original story

When two people are set up by a mutual acquaintance for a blind date, the results are difficult to predict, but at this year's Smoky Hill River Festival it will be hard to miss the bright results at the Oakdale Park tennis courts.

"I See You, You See Me," a mural of Put-in-Cups and cloth, shows the results of the artist blind date of Erika Nelson, of Lucas, and Bill Godfrey, from near Pittsburgh, Pa.

The two found themselves paired together to design a mural ahead of the four-day Smoky Hill River Festival, set to kick off tonight with the Festival Jam in Oakdale Park.

"We connected well," Godfrey said. "Our works meshed together really well."

Godfrey and Nelson met for the first time Tuesday to start their project after being "set up" by Karla Prickett, a festival organizer, and talking online about the project for two months.

"It was like creating an Internet relationship with someone you don't know," Godfrey said. "You find out a lot about the person, but you never physically meet them until the end. You don't know if you are going to be able to work together or not."

Inspired by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the artists set out to design a project meshing two very different art materials.

Hundertwasser?

"She (Erika) wanted to base our piece on his (Hundertwasser's) work," Godfrey said. "I went on the Internet and researched this artist's work and found he was one of the most important artists in Germany in the 20th century."

Nelson said Hundertwasser's designs are childlike and have many curves, something she felt would be a hit at the festival.

"We are focusing on the eyes and bright colors of his designs," Nelson said. "The top tier will be major vignettes tied together with little designs."

Godfrey said his part of the project was finished ahead of time, but Nelson started putting the Put-in-Cups into the fence Tuesday. The project is expected to be finished today. Nelson said she planned only a portion of her project in advance.

It really blends well

"I'm responding to Bill's pieces and going little by little until it feels right," Nelson said.

With the banners made of cloth and the Put-in-Cups, Godfrey said he was surprised how well the materials blended together.

"If you put the fabric and the plastic on the chain-link fence and step back, you can't tell where one ends and the other begins," Godfrey said. "By accident, the cups and cloth are the same color sources."

Nelson said the mural almost looks as if it were designed by one artist instead of two.

Godfrey has been helping Nelson put the cups into the fence following her designs.

"It is like a creative arena," Godfrey said. "You bring a lot of things and media together, and it happens."

Nelson said the mural will be taken down Sunday.

"She envisioned us working together in a nice fashion, and we have," Godfrey said. "This art blind date has worked."

Reporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by e-mail at chunter@salina.com.

River Festival starts Thursday in Salina Kansas

2010-06-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Which means I'll be standing on a laddar, inserting PICs into the upper teir of the tennis court fence again at Oakdale Park in Salina.

The Salina Journal just came out with their Festival Guide, with a little blurb on the collaborative project this year with Bill Godfrey: http://www.salina.com/www/specialsections/riverfest2010.pdf

And, here's the whole River Festival site - great list of performers again this year, and lots of amazing art... Ya' gotta come!

www.riverfestival.com

Potential World's Largest Pool Table, Fredericktown MO

2010-06-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

How awesome is this?!? Play-able, although in a slightly altered delivery system for the bowling-turn-pool balls...