Native American Heritage of Healing Social Tonight - All Welcome!

THIS JUST IN:

I just received notice of this event and thought it might be nice for earea families to experience. The Heritage of Healing Old-Time Social is tonight starting at 4:00 p.m. at Parker Mill Park (4650 Geddes Rd., Ann Arbor). The free event is a traditional Native American event, featuring singing, dancing, food, information booths & speakers. The focus of this Gathering is encourage younger generations to make healthy lifestyle choices, and to provide some comfort to those who are fighting cancers and chronic diseases.

There is no admission fee and anyone is welcome. All donations, as all proceeds will go to benefit the  Cancer Relief Project for children in families experiencing cancer. We will also be collecting donations of VISA gift cards for purchasing new school clothes for the benefit of this program.

Schedule of Events:
4:00 pm: Water Ceremony
4:30 pm: Walk/Run for Health & Healing
5:00 pm: Potluck Dinner featuring Healthy Foods
6:30 pm: Evening Social

For more information on the Heritage of Healing call 734.550.7094, email HeritageofHealing@NativeYouthAlliance.org  or visit the Native Youth Alliance website.

Harvest Time at the Rentschler Farm

Harvest time was a busy time of the year for folks 100 years ago. Frankly, as a gardener who preserves food through canning and drying I am actually amazed at what they were able to do!

This Sunday, families will have the opportunity to see for themselves what harvest time was like on the farm at the Rentschler Farm Museum (1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline) from 12:00-5:00 p.m.

Take a wagon ride,  visit with farm animals, see the farm gardens, demonstrations, displays, traditional crafters, and things for the entire family to enjoy. Visit each of the farm buildings and tour the farmhouse, which is interpreted as a family might have used it in the 1930s.

Nightfall Festival at the Toledo Botanical Gardens

What grows in the garden after dark? Is it spooky jack-o-lanterns or happy scarecrows? Find out during the Nightfall Festival at the Toledo Botanical Gardens (5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo OH 43615).

Just 30 minutes south, the Toledo Botanical Gardens is having a fun family-friendly celebration of autumn in the gardens with kids trick-or-treating, activities for the kids including art projects and games, a walking tour by lantern a spooky pumpkin patch, live music and good eats. So if your family is looking for a way to begin October, consider heading south for the evening.

The event runs September 30 and October 1 from 4:00-10:00 p.m. Tickets are $7/adults, $6/seniors and students with children under 12 receiving free admission.

Bird Walk at Brauer Preserve

Mornings are for the birds, so why not check out what they are up to. On Saturday, October 1, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. visit the forest and field with a Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation specialist to find the many bird species, both resident species and ones migrating. Bring good walking shoes and binoculars (if possible). The walk takes place at Brauer Preserve in Ann Arbor.

Family-Friendly Hallowen Fun With The Huron-Clinton Metroparks:

Looks like the Huron-Clinton Metroparks have plenty of great seasonal family activities planned throughout October. Check out the fun as there is something for everyone from toddlers up through teens, even the big kids will find something to enjoy!


“Tot Time – Creepy Crawlers,” Saturday, October 8 at 10 am, Environmental Discovery Center of Indian Springs Metropark near White Lake. Don’t be afraid! Let’s learn about these amazing creatures together! Fee: $3 per child. Preregistration required. For more information or to register, call 248-625-7280 or 1-800-477-3192.

“Evening Lantern Tours,” Friday & Saturday, October 14 & 15 at 7 pm and 8:30 pm, Nature Center of Oakwoods Metropark near Flat Rock. Take a hayride followed by a lantern-lit hike around our nature trails where a host of interesting characters are sure to make you laugh, learn and have a great time. Enjoy cider and cookies in the Nature Center before taking another hayride back to your car. Tickets: $10 per person; advance ticket sales only, beginning September 1st. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Oakwoods Nature Center at 734-782-3956 or 1-800-477-3182.

“The Great Pumpkin Hunt,” Saturday, October 15, from 11 am to 2 pm, Environmental Discovery Center of Indian Springs Metropark near White Lake. Enjoy an old-fashioned neighborhood gathering with food and fun sponsored by the Huron Valley Optimist Club. Kids can search for clues on pumpkins to solve a puzzle during The Great Pumpkin Hunt. Prizes will be awarded to winners 16 years and younger. For more information, go to www.huronvalleyoptimist.com  call 248-625-6640 or 1-800-477-3192.

“Fun on the Farm Halloween Party,” Thursday, October 20 from 10 am to noon, Farm Center of Kensington Metropark in Brighton/Milford. This program caters to the little ones. We will have story time, a craft and an activity. Our special fall party includes games, treats, a hayride and even a parade. Costumes are encouraged! Fee: $5 per child; includes a hayride and pumpkin. For more information call 248-684-8632 or 1-800-477-3178.

“Family Halloween – Nature Myths & Superstitions,” Friday, October 21 at 7 pm, Nature Center of Metro Beach Metropark near Mt. Clemens. What does it mean when an owl hoots? Can bats really get stuck in your hair? Discover the truth about these mysterious night-time animals as well as other nature superstitions through fun activities. Halloween treats will be included. Ages 7 and up. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For more information or to register, call 586-463-4332 or 1-800-477-3172.

“Kids’ Kandy ’n’ Krafts,” Saturday, October 22 at 6 pm, Nature Center of Oakwoods Metropark near Flat Rock.Crafts, games, candy and a ton of fun will be the theme for this night. Take part in a cupcake walk, make Halloween-themed crafts, play Halloween-themed games and get some candy. Fee: $7 per person. Preregistration required. For more information or to register, call Oakwoods Nature Center at 734-782-3956 or 1-800-477-3182.

“Halloween Fun,” Sunday, October 23 at 10 am and 1 pm, Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center near Dexter/Ann Arbor. Join us for some Halloween fun. Make cider, decorate doughnuts, and create “spooky” crafts. These kid-friendly activities will get you in the Halloween spirit. Also, meet animals from the Great Lakes Zoological Society. Admission is by advance ticket purchase only.  Tickets are $6/child, children under 1 are free (includes all activities and hay ride), and $3/adult (includes cider, doughnuts and hay ride). Tickets are limited and available for purchase October 1 at the park office. For more information call 734-426-8211 or 1-800-477-3191.

“Beastly Bones & Sinister Skulls,” Saturday October 29 at 1 pm, Environmental Discovery Center of Indian Springs Metropark near White Lake. Celebrate Halloween the biology way! We’ll learn to identify skulls and pelts of Michigan mammals. We won’t let you go away empty-handed, though! After all, it’s Halloween. Be prepared to make realistic mammal masks. For children 3rd grade and up. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For more information or to register, call 248-625-7280 or 1-800-477-3192.

“Halloween Murder Mystery,” Saturday October 29 at 1 pm, Nature Center of Oakwoods Metropark near Flat Rock. “Who Done It??” Find out during this fun mystery with an ecological twist. Fee: $4 per person. Preregistration required. For more information or to register, call Oakwoods Nature Center at 734-782-3956 or 1-800-477-3182.

“Creepy Crawlies Under the Scope,” Sunday, October 30 at 1 pm, Environmental Discovery Center of Indian Springs Metropark near White Lake. Think of your favorite (or least favorite) six or eight-legged friends. Want to see them closer than ever before? Join us for some “spooky” Halloween insect viewing in the microscope lab. Participants will learn how to take digital photos of the creatures that can be emailed home! Ages 6 and up. Fee $3 per person. Pre-registration required. For more information or to register, call 248-625-7280 or 1-800-477-3192.

“Calling All Souls: A Halloween History,” Sunday, October 30 at 2 pm, Marshlands Museum & Nature Center of Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown. Discover how pumpkins, costumes, tricks and treats became part of an American tradition. Fee: $3 per person. Preregistration required. For more information or to register, call 734-379-5020 or 1-800-477-3189.