Niagara Falls, fertility statues, romantic getaways

Ripley’s Fertility Statues: Touch At Your Own Risk

If Mother Nature isn’t moving quite as quickly as you’d like her to, maybe a visit to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Niagara Falls is in order. From September 4th through 26th, this location will play host to two 5-foot tall African fertility statues that many women believe have played a role in their becoming pregnant, even when doctors told them they couldn’t. The statues were purchased by the Ripley owners in the early 1990s as decorative pieces for the company’s headquarters in Orlando. But within a short time, 13 staff members or visitors became pregnant, all of who claimed to have touch the statues. The Wall Street Journal did a story on the fertility phenomenon, which resulted in international demand for what could be the world’s least expensive fertility treatment. The statues hit the road, and within a few years Ripley’s had received over 2,000 letters from women reporting that they became pregnant shortly after touching the wooden sculptures. Now, after wrapping up the European leg of a three-year world tour, the statues are back in North America and taking up residence in Niagara Falls this month. Touching the statues is free of charge – they’ll be located in the lobby of the Odditorium, where anyone who dares is invited to give them a rub. And don’t worry guys, you’ll still play a role – there’s no mention of the conception being immaculate.

Romantic Getaways: How To Do It Right

Every romantic relationship needs a little spice from time to time, and a getaway-for-two is the perfect solution. A recent article by Susan Breslow Sardone, a Honeymoons/Romantic Travel Guide specialist at About.com, offers several tips to ensure that couples make the most of precious time away. Her first piece of advice is to travel with someone you love, which sounds a little like Obvious 101, but she has a point – if it’s a new relationship it’s best to stick to day trips until there’s a strong foundation. Your travel styles may be completely different. Sardone also recommends car travel over planes, because airlines have made flying so painful that the added stress could be a passion-killer. We’re a little luckier here in Canada, so a quick flight on Porter, AC or WestJet can work too. Another tip is to check out the romance packages at hotels in your destination (or even your hometown). Flowers, chocolates, chilled wine and a Jacuzzi or fireplace can enhance the mood. And put a bullet in the TV please – unless you really think an hour of Intervention is a turn-on. The practical folks at TakeOffeh don’t like one of Sardone’s suggestions – taking digital ‘for-your-eyes-only’ photos – there are way too many nudie pics of ‘the ex’ on the Web for our taste (and a certain Canadian judge who likely wishes she could take back those happy snaps her husband took). The scented candle is a fine idea though. We also like the idea from the man who responded to the story, saying he brings flowers for his girlfriend for the drive to their rendezvous. They make the car smell good and add life to the hotel room. A final tip from Sardone also sounds obvious, but isn’t – be nice to each other. Romantic time together is not the setting to rehash old disputes. It’s a time to share the love.

Join the Discussion