MILL CREEK METROPARKS December calendar Planned at Mill Creek MetroParks facilities this month:

ACTIVITIES
Dec. 1: 7 p.m. Remembering Mill Creek Park's Founder, Part 1. On the 160th anniversary of Volney Rogers' birth, join us for a walk to the memorial statue illuminated by lights. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty with hills, two miles.
Dec. 3: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The MetroParks Farm will be open today for a special visitor, one of Santa's reindeer. Bring a camera for photos of your family in a sleigh and with the reindeer. Listen to a Christmas story and make a craft to take home.
Dec. 3: Noon. Remembering Mill Creek Park's Founder, Part 2. Hike to Tod Cemetery to view Volney Rogers' grave on the 77th anniversary of his death. Meet at Volney Rogers statue. Parking is available at the Recreation and Police offices at Glenwood and Falls avenues. Difficult rating because of length, 10 miles. (Those not wanting to hike can meet at the arch at Tod Cemetery on Belmont Avenue about 2 p.m.)
Dec. 5, 12 and 19: 5:30-7 p.m. Learn the basics of energizing yoga movements taught by Heidi Suraci. Call (330) 740-7116 for information. Fee: 10 per class.
Dec. 5: 5:30-8 p.m. Lynn Cardwell will teach students to construct a luminaria using porcelain clay that will softly glow when burning a candle. The work will be glazed, fired and ready to take home Dec. 20. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 32 ( 25 FFRG members).
Dec. 5: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Create an unusual wreath decoration combining pine, boxwood, rosehips, red peppers and ice crystals. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 32 ( 25 FFRG members).
Dec. 6: 9 a.m. Health and wellness walk. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty, four miles.
Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28: 8:30-10 a.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Yoga. See Dec. 5 for details.
Dec. 7: 10, 10:45 or 11:30 a.m. 2-year-olds and their favorite adults will join in our annual holiday program celebrating nature. We will perform "The Snow Tree," make a colorful craft, and enjoy cookies and milk. Call (330) 740-7107 to register.
Dec. 8: 11 a.m. to noon or 1-2 p.m. Each preschooler 3- to 5-years old and their favorite adult will decorate a potted Norfolk Island Pine with miniature ornaments transforming it into a holiday tree. A story and snack will be enjoyed. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 6 R, 8 NR.
Dec. 9: 11 a.m. to noon. Norfolk Island Pine Tree event. See Dec. 8 for details.
Dec. 9: 1:30-3 p.m. Each child 6 and older with an adult companion will construct a whimsical arrangement using mixed greens, ornaments and a miniature sled. This wintertime centerpiece will be a delightful reminder of fun in the snow. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 8 R, 11 NR.
Dec. 10: 2 p.m. Although their colorful petals are gone, wildflower skeletons still remain and can be appreciated for their quiet and subtle beauty. Meet at Vickers Nature Preserve. Easy rating, one mile.
Dec. 10: 5:30-8 p.m. Twinkling lights and luminarias will brighten the night as families enjoy a wintry walk through Fellows Riverside Gardens. Complete the evening by warming up in the Davis Center with music, cocoa, coffee and pizzelles. Bring a scarf, a hat, mittens, or gloves as a donation to the Sojourner House.
Dec. 12: 7 p.m. Join us at Yellow Creek Lodge in Struthers for an evening of music and dancing. Ben Soriano will play festive tunes for the holiday season.
Dec. 15: 8:30-10 a.m. Start your morning with a brisk walk in Fellows Riverside Gardens. Return to the Garden Caf & eacute; to enjoy a light breakfast and learn about the ivy family. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 6 R, 8 NR.
Dec. 15-16: 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 10 a.m. Dec. 16. Preschoolers, ages 3-5 and their parents will enjoy a winter story, create edible ornaments for the birds and help decorate an evergreen tree. Each child will take an ornament home for the feathered friends in their backyard. Preregister at Ford Nature Center. Fee: 2 per child R, 3 per child NR.
Dec. 17: 2 p.m. Learn about the black bear and explore an area where it once roamed. Meet at Bears Den Cabin for a brief introduction. Difficult hike rating because of tricky footing in rocky terrain, two miles.
Dec. 20: 9 a.m. Health and Wellness walk. Meet at Golf Course overflow parking lot on West Golf Drive. Easy rating, one or three miles.
Dec. 21: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cedar and pine, berries, crystals and miniature red or white carnations will be combined in an arrangement encircling a pillar candle. Deby Clark will instruct students in making the centerpieces. Call (330) 740-7116 to register. Fee: 28 R, 36 NR.
Dec. 23: 10 a.m. Enjoy a short walk in the woods and then stop at the Ford Nature Center for a cup of hot chocolate and stories about a Romanian Christmas. Bring an ethnic Christmas recipe to share. Meet at the center. Moderate difficulty with steps, two miles.
Dec. 31: 1 p.m. End the year with a hike around Lake Cohasset. Meet at FNC. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, three miles.
GIFT IDEAS
Are you wondering where to shop for unique gifts this holiday season? We have a few suggestions:
Shop in the Gardens is in the Davis Education & amp; Visitor Center at FRG. Hours are Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Select from beautiful home decor items, jewelry and accessories, garden items, books, Mill Creek Park memorabilia and much more.
Historic Mill Creek Park, a pictorial history of Mill Creek Park, will make a perfect gift for family and friends. Pick up your copy at the Shop in the Gardens or the Ford Nature Center.
Golf Coupon Books are available at the Mill Creek Golf Course Pro Shop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Buy gift certificates, golf items and accessories at the Pro Shop to brighten up the winter season for the avid golfer.
Stocking stuffers are a must from the Ford Nature Center Gift Shop. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Surprise the nature lover of any age with nature-themed items including pencils, books, tattoos, T-shirts and more. Bring the beauty of Mill Creek Park into your home with a Mill Creek Park throw. A composition of color images has been woven into this custom designed 48-by-60- inch throw and is available to buy at the Shop in the Gardens.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Dec. 1-31, Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Celebration-Fun in the Park. The holiday displays at Fellows Riverside Gardens will delight visitors with memories of winter fun in Mill Creek Park. Activities for children, snowy garden scenes and unique floral arrangements will be part of this special celebration. Visit the Shop in the Gardens for holiday gift ideas. Treasure the view of Lake Glacier while enjoying a delicious buffet Sundays in the Garden Caf & eacute;.
EXHIBITS
Fellows Riverside GardensDavis Education & amp; Visitor CenterHours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Through Dec. 31: Weller Gallery. Coastal Views of Southern Italy-Sicilly and Aeolian Islands. Imagine yourself transported to the seaside villages of Southern Italy as you view the colorful photographs of Pamela Cohen. Meet the artist Dec. 10 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Gardens by Candlelight, a special event in Fellows Riverside Gardens.
Through December: Melnick Museum. 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.