Schedule of events in April at McConnell's Mill State Park, Lawrence County:

Schedule of events in April at McConnell's Mill State Park, Lawrence County:
April 6: Volunteers of all ages needed to help clean and prepare the Old Mill also known as McConnell's Mill for the 2002 summer season from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet the naturalists at the old mill. Park officials recommend wearing old clothing. For more information, contact (724) 368-8091.
April 13-14: The Old Mill officially opens and will be open weekends only from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Visitors can join a tour or take a self-guided walk through the Old Mill following exhibits that tell the story of grinding grain. Corn grinding demonstrations are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Meet at the entrance to the Old Mill. The half-hour demonstration will show how the miller ground corn into cornmeal in the mid-1800s using the power of Slippery Rock Creek. Grist mill tours will be at 4 p.m. at the mill, one of the first rolling mills in the country. The 45-minute journey takes you through the history of how grain was transformed into flour.
April 13: "The Fishy Facts" from 2 to 3 p.m. Visitors who wish to test their knowledge of fishing and their casting skill should join the naturalist in the park's Kildoo Picnic Area for a brief look at this sport enjoyed by many. We will look at fish identification, types of bait, knot tying, casting, equipment, safety tips and fish habits.
April 14: "In Search of Spring" from 2 to 3 p.m. Take a leisurely walk with the park naturalist in Hell's Hollow to discover if spring is arriving in the park. A limited supply of field guides will be available for use during this program.
April 20: "Biodiversity: Our Lives Depend On It" from 1 to 2 p.m. The park naturalist invites you to join her in the Kildoo Picnic Area to learn more about this lesser-known topic. We will discover what biodiversity is, why it is important, how we as humans are threatening biodiversity with our everyday activities, and what you can do to help solve this growing problem.
April 21: "Mission Impossible 3" from 2 to 3 p.m. Participants will find the connections between biodiversity and humans. Meet in the Kildoo Picnic Area.
April 27: "Bluebirds" from 11 a.m. to noon. The park has 11 bluebird boxes within its environs. Each year these boxes are monitored and registered with the state as part of the Bluebird Trails Program. If you are interested in learning how to invite bluebirds to your home or would like to participate in the park's monitoring program, join the naturalist in the parking lot above Eckert Bridge. Participants will hike on part of the McConnell's Mill Bluebird Trail.
April 28: "Stone Ground Grain Day" at the Old Mill from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors can taste a sample of the breads and cookies your grandparents enjoyed. The selection includes cornmeal cookies, whole wheat bread, and buckwheat bread with honey.