MILL CREEK METROPARKS January

JAN. 2 AND 3
Skating lesson registration, 3 to 7 p.m. The Saturday Learn to Skate Program begins Jan. 5. Ages 4 through adult are welcome. Beginners receive three half-hour to one-hour lessons; intermediate skaters receive six half-hour to one-hour lessons. Registration and payment must be made in person at the ice rink. Lesson times are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental skates are available for children and adults. Call (330 740-7126 for details. Fee: Beginners, $3 resident, $6 nonresident. Intermediate, $20 resident, $25 nonresident.
JAN. 4 AND 18
"Hot" Night and the Rink, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Join a WHOT-FM DJ for an evening skate under the stars at the Ice Rink. "Hot" tunes will create a cool night of fun.
JAN. 5
A Bird in the Hand, 9 a.m. Black to capped chickadees are inquisitive birds that can sometimes be coaxed into landing on your hand if you tempt them with food. Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage for this unique annual program. We'll provide the birdseed; you provide the hands. Meet at the golf course parking lot.
JAN. 6
Wintertime at the Gorge, 2 p.m. Can you picture gigantic icicles, snow covered hills and crisp, cold air? Meet us at Lanterman's Mill for a wintry walk through the Gorge. The sights are lovely this time of year and who knows what we will see. About two miles, moderate difficulty with hills and boardwalk steps.
JAN. 9
Rise and Bloom, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Start your day by joining Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens for a brisk walk in the Gardens. Savor a healthy breakfast afterwards in the Davis Center while learning about amaryllis. Call the Gardens to register. Fee: $6 resident, ($4 Gardens members).
Yellow Creek Park Concert, 7 p.m. The first concert of the new year with the Eddie Vallus Band. Meet at Yellow Creek Lodge.
JAN. 10
Tales for Twos, 10 and 11 a.m. Two-year-olds and their adult companions are invited to hear a story about winter and take a look at our feathered friends as they visit the bird feeders at the Ford Nature Center. Call FNC to register.
JAN. 11
Exploring Winter, 2 p.m. Don't let the winter weather keep you inside. Join us for a fun-filled and snowy walk in Mill Creek Park. We'll investigate this natural blanket that protects plants and animals from the winter cold. Meet at Ford Nature Center. About three miles, easy rating.
Grandmother's Winter Notebook, 10 a.m. to noon. Would you like some creative ideas for projects to entertain the grandchildren when they come to visit on a snowy afternoon? A clever grandmother has a notebook of botanical ideas, beginning with cornhusk dolls, checker games from corncobs and the very best homemade caramel corn. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $10 resident, $14 nonresident.
JAN. 18 AND 19
Snug in the Snow, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children 3- to 5-years-old and their adult companions are invited to find out how the snow is like a "white blanket" for plants and animals in winter. Activities include a story, craft and short winter walk. Call Ford Nature Center to register. Fee: $2.
JAN. 19
The Winter Landscape, 10 a.m. to noon. Mark Miller will inspire you to view winter landscapes with a new appreciation. Through slides and a walk in Fellows Riverside Gardens, you will see colors, textures, shapes, patterns and the flowers that are possible in your garden during the winter months. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $7.50 resident, $10.50 nonresident.
JAN. 20
Winter Pick-Me-Up, 2 p.m. Lift your spirits and put some color in your cheeks as we enjoy the winter beauty on an invigorating hike along East Cohasset Trail. Meet at Ford Nature Center. About 21/2 miles, moderate difficulty with hills and steps.
Library Anne's Story Garden, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy Sunday story hour with the librarian as she reads delightful stories selected from the collection of children's literature in Fellows Riverside Gardens' Antonucci Library. This program is for children and adults who are young at heart. Call the Gardens to register.
JAN. 25
The Snow Moon, 7 p.m. Though we can't promise that we'll be able to walk on crunchy white stuff, many native American Indian tribes referred to this month's moon as the "Snow Moon." Meet at Ford Nature Center. About two miles, medium difficulty with hills.
JAN. 25 AND 26
Primary Banquet, Friday: 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday: 10 to 11 a.m. Children 3- to 5-years-old and adults will learn about the primary colors and make a bouquet of red, yellow and blue flowers to take home. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $7.
JAN. 26
Environmental Educators Resource Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Formal and informal educators are invited to participate in the annual Environmental Educators Resource Fair Workshop to be held at the MetroParks Farm. More than 15 organizations and individuals will be on hand to conduct presentations in large and small group settings for subjects including science, history, geography, art, math, language arts and social and cultural studies. To register, call (330) 793-0718.
Prints Charming Returns, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Bring one item to decorate: a sweatshirt, t-shirt, pillowcase or whatever you think needs some botanical charm. We'll supply the paints and plant materials to make the prints as well as instructions for children 6-years-old and up. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $5.
Photography for Kids, 2 to 4 p.m. Youngsters 8-years-old and up will learn the basics of photography, including types of cameras and techniques for good composition. Participants will receive a disposable camera and instructions from Dagmar of Ohio Color Photo Inc. Everyone will have the opportunity to take photos inside and on the grounds of Ford Nature Center. Registration and fee due by Jan. 25. Fee: $6.
Winter White Wreath, 10 a.m. to noon. Do you admire the subtle play of textures in a snowy garden? Bring a touch of this winter elegance indoors with the help of Marian Sebastiano by creating a wreath all in white. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $30 resident, $39 nonresident.
JAN. 27
Ice Making By Mother Nature, 2 p.m. During the early 20th century, the Youngstown Ice Co. harvested ice for commercial use from both Mill Creek and the Mahoning River. Today we'll walk around Lake Glacier to see what remains of its heyday. Meet at Ford Nature Center. About four miles, medium difficulty with hills and steps.
JAN. 29
Second skating lessons registration, 3 to 6 p.m. This second session of skating lessons is for beginners only and begins Feb. 2. See above listing for details.
JAN. 30
International Cooking Series: Picnic in the Alps, 6:30 p.m. Join Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens and David Armstrong for the first class in his International Cookie Series. This series runs one Wednesday per month, February, March and April, with a different topic each month. Call the Gardens to register for one class or the whole series. Fee: $28 per class ($20 Gardens members).