Mill Creek Metroparks| September calendar

Sunday, August 27, 2006 Activities planned for September at Mill Creek MetroParks facilities: Sept. 2, 9 and 16: 8:30-10 a.m. Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Learning the basics of yoga taught by Heidi Suraci. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $10 per class. Sept. 2: 10 a.m. Book Discussion. "Suburban Safari: A Year on the Lawn." What lives in your backyard? Naturalist-led discussion. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Sept. 3: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Cotton Candy Kayak. Join us on a kayak trip through the Newport Wetlands. Meet at East Newport boat launch. (More information below). Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26: 5:30-7 p.m. Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Sept. 6: 9 a.m. Health and Wellness Walk. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway trail head at MetroParks Farm. Easy rating, 2 or 4 miles. Sept. 6: 7 p.m. 7Up Summerfest Spectacular. Final concert of the series. Easy Street Productions plays an evening of favorites at the Judge Morley Pavilion. Lawn seating. Free. Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28: 8:30-10 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Yoga at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Sept. 8: 11 a.m.-noon. or 1-2 p.m. Counting Bouquet. Preschoolers ages 3-5 with their favorite adults will learn about flowering annuals. Each child will choose 10 blooms in the Family Garden to arrange in a vase to take home. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $4 R, $6 NR. Sept. 9: 11 a.m.-noon. Counting Bouquet. Sept. 9: 1:30-3 p.m. For the Birds: Suet Seed Log. Children ages 6 and up with their adult companions will learn about woodpeckers with Patrice Harvey of Wild Birds Unlimited. Each child will fill a suet seed log to take home. Meet in the Family Garden, weather permitting. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $12 R, $16 NR. Sept. 9: 2 p.m. Bike Hike. We pedal to the MetroParks Farm and back. Helmets are required. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway trail head at Kirk Road. Moderate difficulty, 8 miles. Sept. 10: noon-2 p.m. Meditation in Movement. Join Julie Thomas in the Tara Dance. Through simple, graceful movements, learn to focus on inner strengths while appreciating the beauty of the surrounding gardens. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $10. Sept. 10: 1-4 p.m. Cornhusk Dolls. Use corn husks to make a doll to take home. At MetroParks Farm. (Hours below). Sept. 10: 2-3:30 p.m. Guided Tour of Fellows Riverside Gardens. Sign in at the information desk on the afternoon of the tour. Sept. 12: 6 p.m. Health and Wellness Walk. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway trail head at Kirk Road, easy rating, 2 or 4 miles. Sept. 12: 7 p.m. Yellow Creek Park Concert. Music by John Gabriele. Lawn seating. Free. Sept. 13: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Plant Diagnostic Day. Join OSU horticulture specialists from around the state. Tune up your plant pest diagnostic skills. Bring in pest or disease diagnostic challenges for identification. Call (330) 533-5538 for reservations. Fee: $30, includes lunch. Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11 and 18: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Introduction to Floral Design. 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 will guide each participant in creating five arrangements. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $166 ($130 FFRG members). Sept. 13: 7 p.m. Myths and Truths About Coyotes. Dr. Stan Gerht, assistant professor of wildlife ecology and wildlife and extension specialist for The Ohio State University, will help separate coyote fact from coyote fiction. Held at MetroParks Farm. Sept. 15: 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Preschool Nature Hour: Story & Stroll. Rain or shine, preschoolers ages 3-5 with their parents are invited to an outdoor story time and a hike through Hiawatha Flats. Meet at Suspension Bridge parking lot. Preregister at Ford Nature Center. Sept. 16: 9 a.m. Fall Best Ball Tournament. Two-person best ball competition, 18 holes at Par 3 Golf Course. Food, beverages and prizes after golf. Call (330) 740-7114 to register. Registration begins Sept. 2. Fee: $24 per team. Sept. 16: 10 a.m. Preschool Nature Hour: Story & Stroll. Sept. 16 and 17: noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. American Dahlia Show Midwest Region at Fellows Riverside Gardens. For entry information, call Jim Chuey at (330) 549-9204. Sept. 16: 5-8 p.m. Sunset at the Farm. Horse-drawn wagon rides, homemade apple butter and cider to sample, visits with farm animals, marshmallows to roast, 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, see the giant train display presented by the Western Reserve Modular Railroad Club, and venture out on the newest MetroParks nature trail. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and relax during the evening's entertainment. Sept. 17: 10 a.m.-noon. International Coastal Clean-up Day Kayak. You can participate locally on this excursion as we tidy up the waters and shores of Lake Newport. Not for first-time kayakers. Kayakers must be at least 18 years old. Meet at East Newport boat launch. Fee: Free (preregistration is required). (More kayak information below). Sept. 20: 9 a.m. Health and Wellness Walk. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty with hills, 4 miles. Sept. 20: 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Culinary Garden. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Chef Adam. Recipes will be demonstrated and sampled including hearts of palm salad, cucumber soup, and chicken Frango Ensopado. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $32 ($25 FFRG members). Sept. 23: 9 a.m. Bird Walk. Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage to learn about local birds. Bring binoculars. Meet at Newport Wetlands. Easy rating, less than one mile. Sept. 23: 10 a.m.-noon. First Day of Fall. Celebrate the first day of the new season on the waters of Lake Newport. Meet at East Newport boat launch. Sept. 23 and 24: noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Garden Forum Flower Show. Public entries must be received on Saturday by 10:30 a.m. Call (330) 740-7116 for more information. Sept. 24: 1-4 p.m. An Apple a Day. Find out why apples are a healthful fruit to eat. Kids will make an apple craft. Wagon rides will be given through the orchard at 1:30 and 3 p.m. At MetroParks Farm. (Hours below). Sept. 24: 2 p.m. Signs of Fall. We'll look for the first autumn leaves to turn color in the wetlands area. Meet at Newport Wetlands parking lot. Moderate difficulty, 4.5 miles. Sept. 26: 6 p.m. Health and Wellness Walk. Meet at Golf course overflow parking lot off West Golf Drive. Easy rating, 1 or 3 miles. Sept. 26: 7 p.m. Audubon Society Mahoning Valley. How can you become involved in your IBA (Important Bird Area)? Join John Ritzenthaler, director of Habitat Conservation for Audubon Ohio, as he presents this program on IBAs and why your involvement is critical. Meet at MetroParks Farm. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28: 10, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. Tales for Twos: Owls and Their Haunts. Two-year-olds and adult companions will learn about owls through a story, outdoor exploration and role playing. Call (330) 740-7107 to register. Sept. 28: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hypertufa Workshop. Margaret Biroschak will help handcraft a planter that has the look of stone. This container is perfect for planting a collection of miniature alpine plants. Supplies and alpine plants are provided. The project may be a bit messy. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $25 R, $32 NR. Sept. 29: 8:30 to 10 a.m. Breakfast Botany: The Vervain Family. A brisk garden walk. Return to the Garden Cafe to enjoy a light breakfast and learn about the family of plants that include lantana and beautyberry. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: $6 R, $8 NR. Sept. 30: 9 a.m. Bird Walk. Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage to learn about local birds. Please bring binoculars. Meet at Newport Wetlands. Easy rating, less than one mile. KAYAKING Kayakers of 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 adults; 16- and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. Participants need to complete a waiver. Reservations must be made 36 hours before program. Call (330) 740-7107 for details. Fee: $12/person R, $15/person NR; second person in tandem kayak, half-price. METROPARKS FARM Bring your family to see the animals, take a tour of the farm, participate in a special activity or bring your bikes for a ride on the MetroParks Bikeway. Group tours of the farm are by appointment only. Call (330) 533-7572 to make a reservation. Visitors are welcome: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday. EXHIBITS Fellows Riverside Gardens, Davis Education & Visitor Center Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Weller Gallery. Through Sept. 24: My Flower Garden. The Youngstown Area Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America will exhibit the artistry of needlework. Sept. 29-Nov. 11: Gourds—Design From the Vines. Hal Hall transforms gourds from the garden into artistic objects detailed with wood-burned scenes reminiscent of whalers' scrimshaw. Melnick Museum September-December: Warren H. Manning-Landscape Architect. This prominent Midwest landscape architect worked on the "Big Cut," a 1920s Park project that carved a road through the hill to create West Drive.