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Kids celebrate sunflowers at Mill Creek Metro Parks
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Neighbors | Chelsea Weikart .Tori Aurandt (left) and her mother made a paper sunflower with sunflower seed centers at the Celebrating Sunflowers class at Mill Creek Metro Parks.
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Neighbors | Chelsea Weikart .Bridget Beck teaches Celebrating Sunflowers for children ages 3-5 at Milll Creek Metro Parks.
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Neighbors | Chelsea Weikart .A student at the Celebrating Sunflowers class smelled the paper flower she and her mother made.
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Neighbors | Chelsea Weikart .Fara Winlock made a sunflower craft with her mother, Tara Winlock at the Celebrating Sunflowers class. It was her first class at the parks.
By CHELSEA WEIKART
Children from the Youngstown area came with their parents to Fellows Riverside Gardens of the Mill Creek Metro Parks to learn about sunflowers and get their hands dirty in a little soil.
“Celebrating Sunflowers” was the name of the class offered to 3-5 year-olds, as well as their parents, on May 25. During the lesson, children created a paper sunflower and planted seeds in a small decorated pot.
Bridget Beck taught the class with the help of her son, Miles Johnson.
“We have a really good time doing it,” Beck said.
Beck is one of a few teachers on rotation for the children’s classes offered monthly at the parks. The cost covers the supplies for the craft cost that month, usually under $10.
Tori Aurandt of Austintown came to the class with her mother for the first time.
“I’ve planted strawberry plants before, but this is my first time with Sunflower seeds,” she said.
The themes for the classes usually correspond with events the outdoor community garden has. The theme for the next class in June will be ladybugs.
In addition to the classes for 3-5 year-olds, there is also a class for children ages 6 and up. The class schedule and pricing can be found on the metro parks website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.