Geauga Park District December 2019 Quarterly Events Calendar

Find your adventure in Geauga Park District this fall – from free horse-drawn wagon rides and Jump Into Fall Days to fun with scat (yes, you read that right), wildlife detective bingo and the Geuaga Park District’s winter solstice traditions!

Here are the offerings for December 2019. You may also view these programs and events published on their new website, www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, and in their quarterly Park Explorer newsletter, which was mailed before October to every Geauga County household and available from all in-county libraries.

• The State of Our Dragons & Damsels – Sunday, December 1^st from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – The Ohio Odonata Society (for dragonflies and damselflies) is winding up its final year of a statewide survey that began in 2017. Come learn the status of these colorful aerial predators, which ones have increased or decreased, and who’s new to our state. Also hear what Geauga Park District has contributed to this survey. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Holiday Open House with Bill Hixson – Thursday, December 5^th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Join Geauga Arts Council for a holiday open house featuring a presentation by Bill Hixson, accomplished floral designer who has assisted with holiday decorating at The White House for more than 30 years. Refreshments served. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Holiday Greens Workshop – Saturday, December 7^th from 9:00 a.m. – Noon & 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Swine Creek Reservation, Lodge – Fee: $27 – Decorate for the holidays by making a beautiful arrangement from fresh evergreens. Select from four options: 1) Outdoor Wreath; 2) Swag; 3) Wire Basket Arrangement; 4) Holiday Pot of Greens. Visit our website’s News & Updates page for photos resembling each project and more specific project descriptions. A wide variety of ribbon, evergreens and pinecones will be provided; bring any additional accents you may wish to add. Candles will also be provided or bring your own to match your decor. Bring pruners and a plastic bag to protect your car seat from water. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Greens for Giving – Saturday, December 7^th from Noon – 3:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Join Geauga Park District at this make-and-GIVE event to create 300+ evergreen decorations for Geauga County Department on Aging’s home-delivered meals for seniors. All supplies provided. Brighten a senior’s holiday season with your thoughtful creation! Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Holbrook Hollows Winter Hike – Sunday, December 8^th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Holbrook Hollows, Lodge – Join a naturalist to explore the trails of this new park, discovering Nature in the winter landscape of forest and meadow. Program outdoors, so dress for the weather. Expect hilly terrain. Registration required.

• Fire-Building Techniques – Sunday, December 8^th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Headwaters Park, Boathouse – With cold weather on the way, it may be good to practice some fire-building skills. We’ll explore techniques primitive to modern, then roast a marshmallow or two. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Timbertots: Evergreen Artists! (Ages 3-5 w/adult) – Sunday, December 8^th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. & Monday, December 9^th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Discover through fun activities all the reasons why evergreens are excellent, in Nature and at home! We’ll use real greens to make a centerpiece to take home, with bows and pinecones provided; bring small decorations if desired, and hand clippers if you have them. Partially outdoors, so dress for the weather. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Geauga Skywatchers Club: Constellations, Hop-Skip & Jump – Monday, December 9^th from  6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Geauga County Public Library, Middlefield Branch – Attend the fourth meeting of our new astronomy club! How do you find your way around the night sky? Martin Mullet of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society will take you on a breathtaking guided tour, showing you how to star-hop from place to place by identifying the constellations. Learn the interesting back-stories of these star groupings, and tons of interesting trivia. Registration required on Geauga County Public Library’s website. Prospective members may login to Meetup.com to find the dates and times of future lectures and activities. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Geauga Walkers – Tuesday, December 10^th from Noon – 2:45 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Hikes for active seniors 1 to 1 1/2 miles long. Naturalist led. This is the annual holiday potluck luncheon, so please bring a dish to share. Hike at noon, lunch at 1 p.m., then indoor presentation. Call Geauga Senior Center for full schedule, 440-279-2126.

• Elderberries: Ansel Savage of The West Woods – Thursday, December 12^th from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Seniors, join us to meet the legendary and mysterious Ansel Savage of Ansel’s Cave fame, as he steps out of the past to set the record straight regarding his 19th century days of yore in The West Woods. Coffee and pastries served. A collaboration with Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center. Registration required. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Full Moon: The Black Bear Moon – Thursday, December 12^th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Observatory Park – Learn all about black bears who manage to be both busy and restful during the wintertime, then watch the rising full moon using park telescopes. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Track a Meteor – Friday, December 13^th from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Observatory Park – Learn how you can help track meteors to find out where they come from and where on Earth they might have landed. Followed by night-sky viewing with park telescopes until 11:00 p.m., weather permitting. Also, December 27th. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.

• Ho Ho Ho Hiking with Santa & Buddy the Elf – Saturday, December 14^th from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The West Woods, Nature Center – Discover the wonders of the season on a magical hike with Santa Claus and Buddy the Elf! Santa will also be available after the hike for photos and wish lists. Registration required.

• Nassau Night Sky Viewing – Saturday, December 14^th from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Observatory Park, Nassau Astronomical Station – Observe the wonders of the night sky using this facility’s giant research-grade telescope! If weather prevents sky viewing, join us for a planetarium presentation in the McCullough Science Center instead. Wheelchair/stroller accessible.