Bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

The days following Thanksgiving were just gorgeous! We felt as if the weather was beckoning us outside, so we took a hike to see the bison at Battelle Darby Creek. The park is located in Galloway – about a twenty-five minute drive from I-270 and Sawmill Road…fyi, currently there is construction on the freeway. Just be prepared if you go during a regular weekend day or week day for construction hiccups. All in all, though, it was an easy drive out.

Once we arrived at the park we pulled in the first entrance called Cedar Ridge. The Greenway Trail was located to the right of the first set of playground equipment, and this trail led out to where the bison roam. The hike was a mile out and a mile back. I should have known better after hiking out to see the eagles earlier this year at Highbanks that my kids would complain. My little ones thought it was too long to be walking – they whined about being bored or that their legs hurt all the way back. We made lots of stops for water, snacks, and to play. Luckily, the sun during this time of year casts great shadows, and we played a bit of shadow tag. I also brought my daughter’s pedometer along (she won it at school, but I am sure you could find one at Target or online). I kept challenging her to get X number of steps and made a game out of hiking back. It helped…a little. I was not alone, though, I noticed a few families brought strollers and many dads were carrying kids back on their shoulders.

My children complaining I am used to and didn’t let it bother me, but I really wish the climax of seeing the bison was more mind-numbing. Instead, the big furry ladies were far away behind an electric fence, all sleeping. Now, I can’t blame them for being tired; but because the distance between us and them was so great, they looked like little specks. I was a bit disappointed. We brought our binoculars, but dangit, I wanted to see one up close and personal. Oh well, I know the bison weren’t there to put on a show for me. I should not have had high expectations…or maybe I need to ask for a telephoto lens for Christmas.

Anyhoo…being outside and playing with my kids was awesome. Plus, we love our Metro Parks!! Battelle Darby offers “bison” hikes with guides various times during the year. I wonder if you get to see a closer view of them?

Battelle Darby Creek
1775 Darby Creek Drive
Galloway, OH 43119

Learn from me:

• Take snacks and water.
• Carry a pack for the layers your children will peel off, especially if you go during the winter months.
• Think of ways to keep your kids occupied if they don’t do well on longer walks/hikes.
• Bathrooms located at Cedar Ridge area.
• Bring binoculars.
• Consider a stroller if your children are smaller and you don’t want to end up carrying them back.

 

 

Article source: http://www.cbusmom.com/2011/11/bison-at-battelle-darby-creek-metro-park/

Holidays at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Branches

We frequent the library about once a week for books and try to make it to story times and events as often as possible. We love the library! This holiday season, many of the Columbus Metropolitan Library branches have holiday-themed activities for families that look exciting AND are *free*! Check them out – especially if you have a ballerina or train-lover in your life, as follows:

Nutcracker Storytimes

Come hear the beautiful Nutcracker story and meet characters from the BalletMet performance.

Gahanna Branch, 310 Granville St.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

1 p.m.

Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave.

Saturday, Dec. 3

11 a.m.

Hilliard Branch, 4772 Cemetery Road

Thursday, Dec. 8

7 p.m.

Polar Express

This program will be after the library closes at Main Library on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. It will include holiday crafts, caroling, hot chocolate and cookies. Also, there will be a visit from a very special guest (who wears a red suit).

* Registration is required to attend.

Holiday Stories and Strings

Martin Luther King Branch, 1600 E. Long Street

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2-3:30 p.m.

Features Urban Strings, multicultural stories and crafts. Sponsored by Friends of Art for Community Enrichment (F.A.C.E.) and Friends of the Library

Celebrity Book Reading

Dublin Branch, 75 N. High Street

With Blue Jackets #14 Grant Clitsome and Mascot Stinger

Tuesday, Dec. 20

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Article source: http://www.cbusmom.com/2011/11/holidays-at-the-columbus-metropolitan-library-branches/

12/03/2011 Grove City Christmas Home Tour

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Showstoppers Present: Christmas Choir at 1 p.m.

Showstoppers Present: Christmas Choir at 7 p.m.
Humdinger Performance Follows

Article source: http://www.grovecityohio.gov/events/calendar/default.cfm?MonthID=12&YearID=2011

12/02/2011 Winter Lights Christmas Celebration

2011 Winter Lights Christmas Celebration

Date: Friday, Dec. 2
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Grove City Town Center

 

Come celebrate the spirit of the season and a Winter Wonderland theme with the community!

Activities Performances | 6-8 p.m.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, traditional carols, an ice sculptor at work, roaming balloon artist and juggler, the official Grove City tree lighting and more at the annual Winter Lights Christmas Celebration. Children can visit with Santa Claus with an option to receive a photograph with the jolly old elf for a $5 donation to T.W.I.G. 184 with all proceeds benefitting Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Carriage rides are free, but a monetary or canned food donation is requested to benefit the Grove City Food Pantry.

The stage, located on Broadway in front of City Hall, will feature live performances of traditional carols. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., “Excelsior,” the Central Crossing High School show choir will perform. “Touch of Class,” the show choir from Grove City High School, will take the stage from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The Grove City Chamber Singers will close out the evening’s caroling from 7 to 7:30 p.m. 

Charitable Donations
Nonperishable food, toy and monetary donations will be collected for the Grove City Food Pantry and the Jackson Township Fire Department’s Toys for Kids program the night of the event. Canned food donations may be dropped off at the Grove City Welcome Center and Museum, 3378 Park St.

Parade | 7:30 p.m.

The parade will step off at 7:30 p.m. and will feature floats decorated in Christmas lights. The parade route will start at Park Street Intermediate School and will proceed north on Wilbur Avenue, turn west down Columbus Street, travel south on Broadway through the Town Center and progress east on Park Street back to the school.

To participate as a parade entry, download the Grove City Christmas parade application. Registration is due in the Grove City Town Center office, 3378 Park St., or via e-mail to info@grovecitytowncenter.org no later than Tuesday, Nov. 29. If you have questions, call 614-539-8762.

The Town Center tree lighting immediately will follow the parade.

Santa’s Mailbox

Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa Claus with them and drop them in his special mailbox located on Park Street in front of the Grove City Library. The express mailbox is available now through Sunday, Dec. 4. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to receive a reply.

Street Closures | 4-9 p.m.

Closures will begin at 4 p.m. Broadway will be closed between Grant Avenue and Grove City Road. Park Street will be closed between Front Street and Arbutus Avenue. Streets on the parade route will be temporarily closed to accommodate the parade, but will reopen to traffic once it has passed. All streets should be open by 9 p.m. 

Grove City Welcome Center and Museum | 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The Welcome Center and Museum will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Stop in to view a festive display of Christmas trees and antique toys and to participate in seasonal contests and activities. The exhibit will be on display through the first weekend of December; regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mistletoe Market | 5-9 p.m.

The lower level of City Hall will be the venue for this holiday shopping destination on Friday, Dec. 2, with plenty of festive crafts and other merchandise for sale. The market will be open 5-9 p.m. For additional information, call the Grove City Town Center Inc. at 614-539-8762.

Grove City Arts Council Art Show and Market | 5-9 p.m.

The Arts Council will host its annual art exhibit in Council Chambers including a seasonal music performance by the Ukulele Cowboy Society. Attendees can vote on the People’s Choice Award and browse the art market in the lobby of City Hall. The art exhibit will run throughout December. The exhibit and market will be open 5-9 p.m. For more information, call the Sommer House Gallery at
614-871-6420.

 

Article source: http://www.grovecityohio.gov/events/lights/

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