MILL CREEK MetroParks
March schedule:
March 1 through April 7: Nature photography exhibit in the Weller Gallery at the Davis Center. Local amateur photographers. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
March 1: Ice Harvesting in Mill Creek. See artifacts such as an ice auger, saw and ice chest to get a closer perspective on this hard, labor intensive operation. Melnick Museum at the Davis Center.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Also, visit the ongoing exhibit "Park Patriarch" on Volney Rogers, the founder of Mill Creek Park. Personal letters and artifacts, family history and photographs give you a better understanding of Rogers' legacy. See how Elizabeth Fellows continued this legacy with her bequest to create "a beauty spot for all to enjoy," in the exhibit, "Gift of A Garden." Learn about Mrs. Fellows' life and what influenced her gift of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Melnick Museum.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
March 1: Memories of an Appalachian Trail Hike. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Paul Gadola of Hermitage, Pa., spent 75 days last year backpacking nearly 1,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail. He'll tell stories from his book "Lie in My Grave" and give advice on how to plan and complete such an adventure. Afterwards he'll be happy to answer questions and autograph books. Ford Nature Center.
March 1 or 2: Leprechaun's Show, 10 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. Friday; 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Did you know that leprechauns were cobblers? We can't teach you to repair old shoes, but we can teach you how to turn an old shoe into a delightful flowerpot that would make any leprechaun proud. Preschoolers, 3 to 5 years old, need only bring a favorite adult. Old shoes will be provided. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $6.
March 2: Peanut, Facts and Fun, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Did you know that March is National Peanut Month or that Americans eat about 11 billion peanut butter sandwiches a year? Children 6 years and up will learn more interesting facts about this important plant, sample delicious peanut snacks and plant a pot of "goobers" to take home. Fee: $6.
March 3: Boomerang Construction Workshop, 2 p.m. Share a piece of Australian history by building your own boomerang. This workshop, taught by Dave Boehm of the Cleveland Boomerang School, includes complete and easy construction activities and historical information about this aboriginal flying machine. No woodworking experience required. Call Ford Nature Center by March 1. Fee: $10 (includes one boomerang blank.)
March 7: Charming Trio. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. One springtime wreath is lovely, three wreaths are absolutely charming. Dolly Vivalo will again teach this popular class, giving step-by-step directions in making this wall piece of multiple wreaths hanging from a burst of twigs. Fee: $25 resident, $32 nonresident.
March 10: Is It Spring Yet? 2 p.m. Take part in a special trip to the Lily Pond in hopes of finding one of the first signs of spring, the emerging buds and flowers of skunk cabbage. Meet at Ford Nature Center. About 21/2 miles, moderate difficulty with hills.
March 10: Library Anne's Story Garden 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy listening to delightful stories selected from the collection of children's literature in the Fellows Riverside Garden's Antonucci Library. This is a free program for children and for adults who are young at heart.
March 13: Rise and Bloom, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Join in an invigorating early morning walk around Fellows Riverside Gardens to enjoy the early morning blooming crocus. Savor a delicious continental breakfast afterward in the Garden Cafe while learning more about this spring flower. Call FRG to register. Fee: $7 ($5 FFRG members).
March 14: Tales for Twos. 10, 10:45 or 11:30 a.m. Two-year-olds and their adult companions will enjoy listening to a story about snakes. Afterward we will meet a live black rat snake and make a snake craft to take home. Call Ford Nature Center to register.
March 15 or 16: Preschool Nature Hour to Spring Thaw. Friday or Saturday, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Preschoolers 3 to 5 years old and their parents are invited to join a hunt outside for signs of spring and enjoy a spring story and activities. Call Ford Nature Center to register. Fee: $2.
March 17: Spring into Spring. 9 a.m. Join us at Yellow Creek Park on St. Patrick's Day as we venture out in the Yellow Creek Gorge in search of green signs of the coming spring. Meet at Captain John Struthers Pavilion. About one mile.
March 17: Lookin' for the Green. 2 p.m. Not an early bird? Missed the morning hike? Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the approach of spring with a hike around Lake Cohasset to look for green plants growing through the cold winter. Meet at Ford Nature Center. About 21/2 miles, moderate difficulty with hills and steps.
March 17: Library Anne's Story Garden 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy listening to delightful stories selected from the collection of children's literature in the Fellows Riverside Garden's Antonucci Library. This is a free program for children and adults.
March 21: Spring Landscape Clinic. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fellows Riverside Gardens and the Mahoning Valley Landscape and Nursery Association will present a spring horticultural clinic. Speakers will cover various aspects of landscape maintenance for the professional and home gardener. Topics include turf care, human relations, employee morale and general landscape business management. Fee includes lunch. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $25, ($15 FFRG and MVLNA members).
March 23: Mr. McGregor's Garden Centerpiece. 10 a.m. to noon. Does your table need a centerpiece with a touch of whimsy? Let Marian Sebastiano help you create this arrangement of spring flowers, ornamental grasses and, just for fun, a vegetable or two. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $25R, $32 NR.
March 23: Easter Eggstravaganza. 11:30 a.m. Be a part of the mad dash for candy and prizes at the area's largest Easter egg hunt at the Judge Morley Pavilion in the Wick Recreation Area. There will be something for everyone, including a special area for kids 2 to 3 years old and a chance to visit with the Easter Bunny. Don't be late for the 11:30 a.m. start for children 4 to 10 years old. The raw egg toss for adults follows the hunt.
March 24: Hello Spring! 2 p.m. March 20 marks the vernal equinox, the official start of spring. We'll search for unofficial signs of spring at the Newport Wetlands and along the Channels and Islands trails of Lake Newport. Meet at Newport Wetlands. About 3 miles, easy rating with hills and steps.
March 30: A Visit to the Heron Rookery. 1 p.m. Discover the fascinating world of the great blue heron. View a video at Ford Nature Center and then visit an actual nesting colony, or rookery, close by where the herons will soon select their nesting sights. The property on which the rookery is located has been protected from development through a conservation easement with Mill Creek MetroParks. Bring binoculars for a better view. Call Ford Nature Center to register.