Editor’s note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, [email protected].
Nature Preschool at Chippewa Nature Center, located at 400 S. Badour Road in Midland has begun its registration for the 2022-23 school year. Classes are held entirely outdoors, except in the event that Michigan weather prevents from providing a safe learning environment. Nature Preschool is open to children who will be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1 for two, three or four half-day sessions per week September through May. Interested families should submit their class preferences online through the 2022-23 Nature Preschool Placement Request form free of charge at www.chippewanaturecenter.org/nature-preschool. Registration information packets are available online, by calling 989-631-0830 or at CNC, and applications are being accepted now. Questions regarding Nature Preschool should be directed to Madison Powell, Nature Preschool Director, at 989-631-0830 or [email protected].
Chronic Disease PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) Series. Chronic Disease PATH is a 6-week, self-management online workshop, offered by MSU Extension, designed for people living with chronic conditions. Family members, friends, and caregivers are encouraged to attend the workshop. This free workshop takes place 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 11 – Feb. 15 online via Zoom at no charge. Participants will learn to work with health care providers, manage symptoms (such as pain, fatigue, difficult emotions, sleep problems and depression), make lifestyle changes (such as healthy eating and physical activity) and set goals and accomplish them. Benefits of participating include sharing with others who understand, taking ownership of your condition, knowing you are not alone and having your voice heard. To register visit: events.anr.msu.edu/CDPATHJan11/ Questions can be directed to Naomi at [email protected].
Friday, Dec. 31
A New Year’s Celebration is set for 11 a.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts. Guests will make festive glitter slime, decorate special party hats, create colorful fireworks and view the Victorian Holidays exhibit! A balloon drop is set for 12 p.m. in the Hall of Ideas. Admission is $10 for children ($7 for Museum Members) and $ for adults (free for Museum Members).
Family Fun Night: New Year’s Eve is set for 4-7 p.m. at Greater Midland Community Center. Guests can help count down to the New Year while enjoying a magic show, caricature drawings, a storyteller and much more. Pizza and drinks will be available for $1 per slice and $1 per drink. Family Fun Night is free for members and $6 for non-members.
Midnight on Main is set for 7 p.m.-1 a.m. at Dow Diamond. There will be live music and entertainment featuring Jedi Mind Trip; a selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks along with stadium food fare; and a midnight ball drop and fireworks, all visible from the heated concourse. Event is for ages 21 and up.
Monday, Jan. 3
An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Wednesday, Jan. 5
An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Thursday, Jan. 6
Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Sunday, Jan. 9
Buds, Bark and Branches: Winter Tree ID is set for 10-11:30 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Identifying woody vegetation can be hard any time of the year, and it’s even harder without leaves. Join an Interpretive Naturalist to learn how to identify local trees and shrubs in winter. We will discuss how they survive the cold months and their roles in the ecosystem. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Tuesday, Jan. 11
Family Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes – no experience needed! The group will search high and low for signs of animals as they explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Thursday, Jan. 13
An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Saturday, Jan. 15
A History Hike is set for 1-2:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Start the new year with a casual trail hike and explore the natural resources that brought people to the region. Join CNC staff as we look for evidence of how nature has influenced our history and guided the settlement of our area. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Sunday, Jan. 16
Snowshoe Sampler is set for 2-4 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. It’s time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter afternoon in the snow. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the event will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Monday, Jan. 17
A Full Moon Stroll is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. We may use snowshoes if conditions permit. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Thursday, Jan. 20
Story Hour is set for 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Stories by the Fire is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Drop by the Homestead and enjoy an early winter evening relaxing by the campfire, listen to tales of how settlers and animals adapt to survive a cold winter. This event is free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Friday, Jan. 21
Survival of the Fittest is set for 2-3:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Winter is tough for wildlife. From freezing temperatures to low food availability, see how wildlife adapts to survive the harsh conditions. Dress with weather in mind for this outdoor hike and activities. This is a free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Tuesday, Jan. 25
Adventures for Women: Snowshoe Hike is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Enjoy an afternoon hike on snowshoes as we notice birds, animal tracks and other points of interest in the woods and fields. Beginner and experienced snowshoers are welcome. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Thursday, Jan. 27
An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Sunday, Jan. 30
Nature Book Club: Winter World is set for 1-3 p.m. Come for a book club chat and naturalist led hike! January’s book is National Bestseller “Winter World: the Ingenuity of Animal Survival” by Bernd Heinrich. Register by Jan. 28 for this free event. www.chippewanaturecenter.org
Monday, Jan. 31
An Evening Snowshoe is set for 5-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! The group will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. If snow conditions are unfavorable, we will hike instead. Pre-register for this free event and reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. www.chippewanaturecenter.org