Saturday, December 30, 2006
Activities planned this month at Mill Creek MetroParks facilities:
Hikes and Walks
Jan. 5: 7 p.m. The Snow Moon. Some American Indians referred to this month's moon as the Snow Moon. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty with hills. 2 miles.
Jan. 6: 9 a.m. Birding. Join volunteer naturalist Nancy Brundage for this annual program. We'll provide the birdseed. Meet at the Golf Course parking lot.
Jan. 7: 2 p.m. Resolution Hike. If your New Year's resolution is to get more exercise, we have a great opportunity to get started. We'll keep a steady but moderate pace to the Trumbull County Line and use the new tunnel beneath Interstate 80. Meet at the MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead on Mahoning Avenue. Parking is available at the Harold Street lot near the Bikeway Overpass. Difficult rating due to length, 5 miles.
Jan. 10: 9 a.m. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at MetroParks Farm. Moderate difficulty, 2 or 4 miles.
Jan. 14: 2 p.m. Wintery Wanderings. Explore the winter beauty of places such as Cascade Ravine and the Gorge. Meet at Scholl Recreation Area. Moderate difficulty with steps and hills, 2 miles.
Jan. 21: 2 p.m. Trees in Winter. Identify some of the easier ones such as hemlock, beech and oak. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty with hills, 3 miles.
Jan. 24: 9 a.m. Meet at MetroParks Bikeway Trailhead at Kirk Road. Moderate difficulty, 2 or 4 miles.
Jan. 27: 10 a.m. Book Discussion, "The Children's Blizzard." In January 1888, a disastrous blizzard struck the prairies of North America. Throughout the Dakota Territory, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa, hundreds of children were caught in the storm on their way home from school; thus this storm became known as "The Schoolchildren's Blizzard." Read David Laskin's fascinating account of nature's fury and join this naturalist-led discussion. Meet at Ford Nature Center.
Jan. 28: 2 p.m. Exploring Winter. Investigate the natural blanket (snow) that protects plants and animals from the winter cold. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 3 miles.
Children's Activities
To ensure quality programs for you and your child, please do not bring nonparticipating children.
Jan. 11: 10, 10:45 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. Tales for Two: Dinosaurs Galore! The Miss Carolasaurus will induce 2-year olds and their adult companions to the world of dinosaurs through a story, craft and exciting activities. Call Ford Nature Center to register.
Jan. 12 or 13: Preschool Nature Hour: Friday, 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. or Saturday, 10 a.m. Rainforest Ramble through the world of capybaras, bromeliads and harpy eagles. Preschoolers ages 3-5 and their parents are invited to explore the tropical rainforest through a story, craft and activities. Preregister at Ford Nature Center. Fee: 2 Residents of Mahoning County, 3 for Nonresidents.
Jan. 12 or 13: Friday, 11 a.m.-noon, or 1-2 p.m. or Saturday, 11 a.m.-noon. Green-Hair Sock Creatures. Children ages 3-5 with their favorite adults will learn how seeds are important to their everyday lives. Each child will plant a little hedgehog that will sprout green hair. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: 4R, 6 NR.
Jan. 31: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Chinese New Year Arrangement. In anticipation of the upcoming Chinese New Year, each child age 6 and up with a favorite adult will make an arrangement with a distinctly Asian theme. Chrysanthemums, the national flower of China, will be arranged in a ceramic container detailed with calligraphy. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: 10R, 14 NR.
Special Interest
Jan. 9: Yellow Creek Park Concert. 7 p.m. Rocky Churchiglia plays a variety of music at Yellow Creek Lodge.
Jan. 23: 7 p.m. Audubon Society Mahoning Valley. Tod Metz, Regional Naturalist for the Portage Lakes Area of Ohio State Parks, will present "How Birds and Other Creatures Survive the Winter." Social time begins at 6:30 p.m.; program at 7 p.m. Call (330) 783-6287 for more information. Held at MetroParks Farm.
Yoga At Fellows Riverside Gardens: Jan. 9, 16, 23 & amp; 30 or Jan. 4, 11, 18 & amp; 25: Tuesdays 5:30-7 p.m.; Thursdays, 8:30-10 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Heidi Suraci teaches a blend of energizing yoga styles. Students at all levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring a mat and a small blanket. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens for information. Fee: 10 per class.
Horticulture: Jan. 20: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Four Seasons Photography Workshop: Explore winter at Fellows Riverside Gardens through the camera lens with local photographer Patrick Hyland. This workshop is geared for beginner and intermediate students with practical knowledge of digital or 35 mm cameras. A strong emphasis will be placed on composition and the elements of nature. A lecture, handouts and photographic opportunities will be part of this session. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: 20 R, 26NR.
Floral Design Basics: Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Learn the basic design principals and floral techniques essential in the art of flower arranging. Deby Clark will demonstrate the preparation of flowers, greens and containers and will guide each participant in creating a simple arrangement. This is the first class offered in a series. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: 25R, 32NR.
Breakfast Botany: Deciduous Plants. Jan. 26, 8:30-10 a.m. Start with a brisk garden walk. Return to the Garden Caf & eacute; for a light breakfast and learn about deciduous plants. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register. Fee: 6R, 8NR.
Photography Field Trip: Jan. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Capture winter scenes of Mill Creek Park while hiking with photography instructor Patrick Hyland. Class size is limited to eight students. Students will meet in the Pioneer Pavilion parking lot. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register.
Exhibits: Jan. 5-Feb. 25: Fragmented Florals. Weller Gallery. Bits and pieces of nature, sound and music inspire Elizabeth Babb's paintings. She reassembles fragments of nature into a new reality. Meet the artist Jan. 14 from 2-4 p.m. in the gallery.
Source: www.millcreekmetroparks.com