Hurry, Fertility Statues here only till February 22, 2010!

Background
In 1993 Ripley Entertainment acquired two African fertility statues, little knowing that they would become the all-time most popular Ripley museum exhibit. Initially they stood like sentinels in the Orlando world headquarters, an interesting conversation piece for sure, but nothing more. Then, unexplainably there seemed to be a population explosion going on in the Ripley office. First it was the receptionist, the woman who sat nearest them who became pregnant, then others who either by fault or desire touched the statues, found themselves in a maternal way.  Thirteen months later (Dec. 1995) when the Wall Street Journal ran an article about the Ripley birth phenomena – 13 pregnancies in 13 months – suddenly the statues were national news.

Where have they been?
From 1996 through mid-2001, the statues were sent to every Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum in the world, sometimes more than once. Millions visited the statues FREE OF CHARGE, touched them and prayed for fertility. Wherever they traveled, hopeful women touched and rubbed them in the hopes that they would become pregnant. In 2001, they returned to the Orlando corporate office where they were put on display in a private room where hundreds visited them each year.

What is a Fertility Statue?
They are carved wooden statues used for ceremonial purposes. They are used in rituals and are considered a fertility omen. According to African tribal legend, to assure a couple’s fertility the statues are to be placed on either side of a doorway leading into a bed room chamber. If a woman (or her spouse) touches either of the statues as they enter the room, they (or their significant other as the case may be) will soon get pregnant.

What is the origin of Ripley’s Fertility Statues?
In 1993, Ripley’s acquired them, not knowing how popular they would become. The Baule people of the West African nation of Cote D’Ivoire (The Ivory Coast) hand carved the statues with primitive tools from heavy durable ebony wood – sometime during the 1930s.
What do they look like?
The male and female statues, a matched pair, stand five feet tall and weigh more than 70 pounds each. The man, a king, holds a short sword in one hand and a mango, a common African symbol of fertility, in the other. The woman, his wife and queen, is holding a newborn infant.

Where do you touch them?
The African legend does not specify where one should touch the statues to assure fertility, and for many women it does not seem to matter. Most women, however, concentrate their efforts on the queen’s baby.

Does it cost to visit or touch them?
Ripley has never charged and never plans to charge anyone to visit the statues.

Does Ripley really believe these statues work?
The statues have no known powers and we at Ripley’s cannot endorse them as an answer for pregnancy. We cannot guarantee that by touching them you will become pregnant, and in fact we recommend that you not depend on them and that you research and discuss with your doctor all other proven methods of fertility.

But so many women have become pregnant, they must work.
It is true  more than 2,000 women that we know of have become pregnant after touching the statues, but how and why is a mystery wrapped in faith and coincidence, not science.

Why would Ripley promote the statues if they themselves don’t believe in them?
Demand. For the six years the statues were “off the road” and in the Orlando corporate headquarters, we received dozens of calls each week wanting to know where the statues were and how a person could go about visiting them. They are the most popular exhibit in our 90-year history and we thought it was time to present them to the general public again. And while Ripley cannot endorse or guarantee success and admits there is no known power, the statues have obviously worked for more than 2,000 women.  Faith is a wonderful thing!

Where is the Fertility Statue tour going?
It opened at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square in New York City on Aug. 26, 2008  and from there went to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums in Grand Prairie, Texas and closed out the year in Williamsburg, Va. In 2009, they spend a month each in Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Wisconsin Dells, San Francisco and Hollywood, then head to London and will spend the rest of the year in Europe.

Why can’t you give us more names and photos of “success” stories?
Fertility and pregnancy is a very private and personal thing for most and nearly everyone who has reported success to us don’t want their names released, for various reasons. The ladies we are offering up to the media have approved us using their names and have agreed to talk with the press.

Current release and downloadable photos are available at: www.ripleys.com/fertility

57 Comares Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 829-8646

If you like the Caribbean, you’ll love them!

This is a full service award winning casual Restaurant features the finest seafood, steaks, salads, and Caribbean style cuisine. Eating there just last week I had the Minorcan Burger off their lunch menu. A large burger fit for a king with Pork and Chorizo, Pepper Jack Cheese, Fire Roasted Peppers and Onions Served on a Toasted Kaiser Roll and served with Fries all for just $9.95. This meal finishes off nicely with a cold draft beer.

The Seminole Raw Bar and Everglades Dining Area with its Live Alligator Exhibit are the newest additions to the resort. I wondered over to check out the gators they had. There were several kids around it enjoying the display.

After dinner you can wonder on down to the 200 slip marina located on the property on the  Salt Run just off the Intracoastal waterway and 1000 ft from the St. Augustine Inlet. I enjoy wondering around looking at the very large boats that I will never be able to afford while listening to the live entertainment. You may also catch one of the many charter fishing boats coming in with their various catch of the day. While they are cleaning the fish you will see many pellicans waiting around for scraps.

While this restaurant is not directly on the path of the Sightseeing Trains, it is well worth the trip over the Bridge of Lions and not more than 2 miles down on your left.

Located on Anastaca Island, take the car about 1.5 mile on left over the Bridge of Lions.

Dan’s suggestion is to ask to be seated in the “Sky Box”!

The Castillo de San Marcos is St. Augustine’s most historically significant structure, a fort constructed by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695.

• Located at Stop #17
• www.nps.gov/casa/

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum is the original home of Robert Ripley’s collection of oddities and curiosities.

• Located at Stop #18
• www.Staugustine-Ripleys.com

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

St. Augustine Alligator Farm is home to a Komodo Dragon exhibit as well as alligators, crocodiles, snakes and a wading bird rookery. And much more!

• FREE shuttle for train guest located at Stop #5
• www.AlligatorFarm.us/

Lightner Museum

In Lightner Museum relics of America’s Gilded Age are elegantly exhibited on the museum’s three floors.

• Located at Stop #10
• www.LightnerMuseum.org

San Sebastian Winery

San Sebastian Winery ranks as one of Florida’s premium wineries. Don’t miss the free wine tasting and tour.

• Located at Stop #11
• www.SanSebastianWinery.com

Memorial Presbyterian Church

Memorial Presbyterian Church was built in 1889 by Henry Morrison Flagler, the son of a Presbyterian minister. Be sure to take the free Self-Guided tour.

• Located at Stop #8
• www.Memorialpcusa.org

The Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park takes you back to the founding and settling of St. Augustine.

• Located at Stop #22
• www.FountainOfYouthFlorida.com

Historic St. George Street

Historic St. George Street is lined with shopping and dining opportunities. Be sure to explore the quaint little side streets as well.

• Located at Stop #6 & #7

St. Augustine Lighthouse

St. Augustine Lighthouse was built in 1874 to help guide ships through the inlet. You can climb the 219 steps for a great view.

• FREE shuttle for train guest located at Stop #5
• www.StaugustineLighthouse.com

Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure

Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure was voted “Best Ghost Tour” for 2007 & 2008. The tour is St. Augustine’s most interactive paranormal experience.

• Located at Stop #18
• www.GhostTrainAdventure.com