MILL CREEK METROPARKS September calendar

CONCERTS
Sept. 7: 7 p.m. Easy Street Productions. 7UP Summerfest Spectacular. Don't miss this musical evening of favorites as we end the 2005 season. Judge Morley Pavilion, lawn seating.
Sept. 13: 7 p.m. Yellow Creek Park Concert. Dance the night away with tunes from the Al-Ray Combo as they play a variety of music. Lawn seating.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Sept. 11: 1-4 p.m. Family Garden Day. Fellows Riverside Gardens. Pot a small plant to take home, make lamb's ear fairy wings and butterfly rings, sip herbal tea, sample fairy cakes, and leave your handprints on the garden fence.
Sept. 16, 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., Sept. 17, 10 a.m. Preschool Nature Hour: Nuts About Squirrels. Preschoolers ages 3-5 with their adult partners are invited to learn about those fluffy-tailed forest friends -- squirrels. We'll enjoy many "nutty" activities including a story, craft and short hike. Preregister at Ford Nature Center. Fee: $2 resident, $3 non-resident.
Sept. 29: 10, 10:45, or 11:30 a.m. Tales for Two: Are You a Ladybug? Two-year-olds and their favorite adults will explore the life of a ladybug through role-playing games, story time and a craft. Preregister by calling Ford Nature Center.
SPECIAL EVENT
Sept. 17: 5-8 p.m. Sunset at the Farm. Bring your entire family to this fall celebration at the MetroParks Farm. We'll have horse-drawn wagon rides, homemade apple butter and cider to sample, up-close visits with farm animals, marshmallows to roast at the campfire, a search for toys in a haystack, and a cornfield maze to explore. Participate in a sack race and an egg toss, test your knowledge in the AgVenture exhibit barn, and see the giant train display presented by the Western Reserve Modular Railroad Club. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and relax during the evening entertainment.
MILL CREEK GOLF COURSE
Sept. 10: Saturday. Mill Creek Championship. Open to all golfers. Stroke play golf. Regular, senior and championship divisions. Call the golf course for time and fee information.
PAR 3 GOLF COURSE
Sept. 17: 9 a.m. Fall Best Ball Tournament Two-person best ball. Eighteen holes. Food, drinks and prizes included. Call the Par 3 to register. Fee: $20 per team.
ESCORTED HIKES
Hike for your health and experience the beauty of the MetroParks with this exciting series of escorted hikes. Earn fun rewards from pedometers to tee shirts to hiking sticks.
Sept. 4: 2 p.m. Explore the Tree Trail and Lily Pond on this afternoon hike. Meet at Lake Glacier Boat Dock parking lot. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 2.5 miles.
Health & amp; Wellness Walks. Join us for the "health of it" and enjoy the many benefits of walking.
Sept. 7: 9 a.m. Meet at Lanterman's Mill. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 2 or 4 miles.
Sept. 13: 6 p.m. Meet at East Golf Parking lot off Shields Road. Easy rating, 3 miles.
Sept. 21: 9 a.m. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway trailhead at Kirk Road. Easy rating, 2 or 4 miles.
Sept. 24: 9 a.m. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway trailhead at MetroParks Farm. Easy rating, 2 or 4 miles.
Sept. 27: 6 p.m. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Easy rating, 4 miles.
Sept. 11: 10 a.m. Bike hike. Bring your bikes for this morning ride along the MetroParks Bikeway. We'll all look and listen for wildlife and learn the history of the area. Helmets are required. Meet at the Bikeway trailhead at the MetroParks Farm. Moderate difficulty, 8 miles.
Sept 17 & amp; 24: 9 a.m. Bird Walks. Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage to learn about our local birds. Bring binoculars. Meet at Newport Wetlands. Easy rating, less than 1 mile.
Sept. 18: 2 p.m. "Dog's Rule!" Hike. Kick off National Dog Week by hiking with your favorite canine pal. Dogs must be nonaggressive, under the handler's control, and leashed (6 ft. maximum) at all times; one dog per handler. Meet at Yellow Creek Park office. Moderate difficulty with steps, 1 or 2 miles.
Sept. 25: 2 p.m. Autumn wildflowers. Enjoy this stroll as we search for New England asters and other fall wildflowers. These beauties will provide a bit of color at the start of the new season. Meet at Stitt Pavilion. Easy rating, 2 miles.
KAYAKING
All skill levels are invited to join these escorted trips through the waters of the MetroParks. Single and tandem kayaks are available. Minors 11-15 years old must share a tandem kayak with an adult; 16- and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. Participants will be required to complete a waiver. Reservations must be made 24 hours before program. Call Ford Nature Center for details.
Sept. 3: 4:30- 7:30 p.m. Chianti Kayak. Enjoy an evening kayak through the Newport Wetlands and a special Italian-themed picnic supper on Smythe Island. Nonalcoholic wine will be served. All participants must be at least 18 years old. Call Ford Nature Center to register by Aug. 26. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch. Fee: $20/person resident, $25/person non-resident; second person in tandem kayak, 1/2 price.
Sept. 22: 10 a.m.-noon. Morning Kayak. Explore the Newport Wetlands on this morning excursion. Meet at East Newport Boat Launch. Fee: $12/person resident, $15/person non-resident; second person in tandem kayak 1/2.
AT THE METROPARKS FARM
Bring your family to see the animals, take a tour of the farm, participate in a weekend special activity or bring your bikes for a ride on the MetroParks Bikeway. Group tours by appointment.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon
Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 11: Sunday, 1-4 p.m. "C" Is for Corn. Learn about different types of corn- sweet corn, popcorn, Indian corn and field corn -- and how they are used. See if you can find your way through our corn maze. Children will "corn nuddle" a picture to take home. Tour wagon leaves every half hour.
BOOK DISCUSSION
Sept. 3: 10 a.m. Crimes Against Nature. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. writes in Crimes Against Nature, "George Bush and his administration have eviscerated the laws that have protected our nation's air, water, public lands, and wildlife for the past thirty years, enriching the president's political contributors while lowering the quality of life for the rest of us." Read the book and join this naturalist-led discussion. Meet at Ford Nature Center.
HORTICULTURE
Sept. 11: 4- 5:30 p.m. Guided Tour of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Celebrate Grandparents' Day with a leisurely walk around the Gardens. A guide will point out highlights while sharing anecdotes and history. Sign in at the information desk on the afternoon of the tour.
Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12 & amp; 19: 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Introduction to Floral Design 1. Learn the art of flower arranging including basic design principles and floral techniques during this 6-session workshop. Deby Clark will demonstrate preparation of flowers, greens, and containers and then guide each participant in creating five different arrangements. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $120 resident, $156 non-resident..
Sept. 16: 8:30- 10 a.m. Breakfast Botany: The Grape Family. Start your morning with a brisk walk in the gardens to admire plants belonging to the grapevine family. Return to the Garden Cafe to learn more while enjoying a light breakfast. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $6 resident, $8 Non-resident
Sept. 25: 1- 3:30 p.m. Garden Author's Lecture: Perennial Favorites. Hellebores are the 2005 Perennial Plant of the Year, and who better to introduce them and other beautiful plants than Barry Glick -- the Monty Python of Perrenials! Barry is a knowledgeable plantsman, superb communicator and a great deal of fun. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $10.50 ($7.50 FFRG members).
Sept. 27: 6:30 p.m. Audubon Society Mahoning Valley. Casey Tucker, Audubon at Home educator, will present a program on the impact of native and invasive plant species on our local bird populations. Held at the Davis Center. Tour Fellows Riverside Gardens at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 28: 6:30- 8:30 p.m. The Culinary Garden. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ely Pugh as you learn to cook unique ethnic vegetarian dishes. Savory recipes using saffron, olives, sweet peppers and Valencia oranges will be demonstrated and sampled. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $32 ($25 FFRG members)
FLOWER SHOWS
Fellows Riverside Gardens
Davis Education & amp; Visitor Center
Public entries must be received on Saturday by 10:30 a.m. Call FRG for details. Shows open on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sept. 17-18: Mahoning Valley Dahlia Society Flower Exhibition and Garden Forum Flower Show.
EXHIBITS
Fellows Riverside Gardens. Davis Education & amp; Visitor Center. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Aug. 19-Oct. 2, Weller Gallery. Earth Songs. From the earth come the materials for Carol Conatser's ceramic sculptures. The artist sensitively details her creations with botanical designs.
September- December, Melnick Museum. 75th Anniversary of the Garden Forum. The Garden Forum of Greater Youngstown is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Fellows Riverside Gardens proudly recognizes the Forum's important role in promoting gardening throughout the Mahoning Valley.
YOGA AND MORE
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: 5:30- 7 p.m.
Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: 8:30- 10 a.m. and 5:30- 7 p.m.
Yoga in the Gardens. Reduce stress and relax while learning the basics of energizing yoga movements taught by Heidi Suraci. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $9 per class.
Sept. 11: Noon-2 p.m. Meditation in Movement. Join Julie Thomas in the Tara Dance. Through simple, graceful movements, learn to focus on inner strengths and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding gardens. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: $10.
MetroParks Office: (330) 702-3000
Fellows Riverside Gardens (FRG): (330) 740-7116.
Ford Nature Center (FNC): (330) 740-7107.
Golf Course: (330) 740-7112.
Lanterman's Mill: (330) 740-7115.
MetroParks Farm Tours: (330) 533-7572.
MetroParks Police: (330) 744-3848
Par 3: (330) 740-7114
Yellow Creek Park (YCP): (330) 755-7275
See us online at: www.millcreekmetroparks.com
E-mail: millcreek@cboss.com
To receive Mill Creek MetroParks monthly calendar of events by e-mail send your request to: MetroParks-request@cboss.com and type "join" in the body of the e-mail.