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Chester Creek
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These colorful keyboards by Chester Creek in Duluth can help children learn their vowels and consonants, and the kid-size mouse is perfect for small hands.2 of 7
BirchLeaf Designs
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These bug boxes by BirchLeaf Designs are perfect for catching crawly critters.3 of 7
Dream Big Innovations
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Dream Big Innovations of Thunder Bay produces these high-chair tray covers. They can be purchased at several stores in the Thunder Bay area including Bambino Paradise.4 of 7
The Spinoza Company
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Cuddly Spinoza bears are manufactured in Cornucopia, Wisconsin, and are available through the company's website, www.spinozabear.com.5 of 7
BirchLeaf Designs
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These handcrafted bug boxes are created by BirchLeaf Designs of Marquette, Michigan, and are constructed out of recycled materials.6 of 7
Dream Big Innovations
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Dan Cheal of Thunder Bay developed these maching-washable, sanitary high-chair covers. They're manufactured in Thunder Bay.7 of 7
Chester Creek
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These colorful keyboards and computer accessories by Chester Creek in Duluth are easy to use for kids and senior citizens.Soothing Spinoza
This cuddly 17-inch, acrylic-fur bear, made at the non-profit Spinoza Company in Cornucopia, Wisconsin, has a washable surface and a CD player inside, accessible under the legs. Comes with headphones. Materials pass infection-control standards and the eyes are “safety locked.” The bears, often purchased through the “buddy bear project,” help children and others over physical and emotional traumas, tackling such issues as long-term health problems, parents leaving for military service or just life lessons. Find it through www.spinozabear.com or 800-282-2327.
- Suggested retail: $167 for Bear with Nine Stories
Kolorful Keyboard
Chester Creek in Duluth creates special computer accessories geared toward children and senior citizens. Colored keys make navigating fun, while some help children learn vowels and consonants. Small mouse is easy for children to hold. (The company’s “large print” keyboard for seniors made CNN news recently!) You can find these keyboards through www.chestercreek.com or 888-214-5450.
- Suggested Retail: $57.95 for FunKeyBoard & FunMouse bundle
Bug Boxes
These hand-crafted boxes are made of locally harvested pine and cedar with birch bark by BirchLeaf Designs, an off-the-grid group working and living near Marquette along the Yellow Dog River. Materials vary to use recycled items. Small box measures, in inches, 6 long x 31/2 wide x 41/2 tall with 2-inch opening; large box is 71/2L x 51/2W x 6T with 3-inch opening. You can find these through www.birchleafdesigns.net or 906-361-5179.
- Suggested Retail: Small Bug Box $16; Large Bug Box $20
Tidy Trays
These machine-washable, sanitary high chair tray covers were developed by Dan Cheal of Dream Big Innovations in Thunder Bay after noticing the condition of the tray for his daughter on a restaurant high-chair tray. Dan got input from doctors, restaurant managers and parents and did a lot of research on his own. The covers are lead free, BPA free, heavy metal free and phthalate free. They can be found in several stores around Thunder Bay, including Bambino Paradise, 866-757-6042 or www.bambinoparadise.ca or direct from Big Dream Innovations, www.tidy-trays.com or 807-621-1596.
- Suggested retail: $9.99 (Can.)
