MCCD Events: Meteor Shower Party, Endangered Owl Visits

The McHenry Conversation District will be hosting the following events in the coming weeks:

• Natural Crafts: Hand Woven Ornaments
• Friday, December 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake

Learn to create your own unique and beautiful woven decorations with natural and recycled materials. Learn how to weave Finnish stars, 3 dimensional hearts and deer ornaments and bring home at least one finished piece from this hands-on workshop. Note there is a separate, but simultaneous program for kids ages 7–12: Natural Crafts for Kids. Fee: County Resident $5.00/NR $7.00. Just for Adults, ages 14 years and older. Registration required.

• Natural Crafts for Kids
• Friday, December 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake

Spend an evening creating your own unique crafts using natural materials. Use your creativity to make decorations for your home or a gift for a loved one (a gift wrapping station will be available). Participant will bring home a collection of completed crafts from this hands on program. There is a separate but simultaneous program for adults – Natural Crafts: Hand Woven Ornaments. Fee: County Resident $3.00/NR $5.00. Just for Kids ages 7–12. Registration required.

• An Afternoon with the Short-Eared Owls
• Sunday, December 9 from 3:30–5 p.m. at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Rd., Ringwood

The short-eared owl is an Illinois endangered species, but we are fortunate to have them visit Glacial Park every winter! After a short indoor presentation, enjoy a winter hike at dusk to search for these special creatures. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Fee: County Resident Free/NR $2.00. Adults and Families ages 8 and up. Registration required.

• Discovery Days
• Wednesday, December 12 from 10–11 a.m. at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Rd., Ringwood

Enjoy an hour of fun including a game, craft, snack and other educational activities all based around the special theme of the day. Fee: County Resident Free/NR $5.00. Just for Kids ages 2–6, with chaperone. Registration required.

• Geminid Meteor Shower Party
• Friday, December 14 from 7–8:30 p.m. at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, 2411 N. IL Rt. 23, Marengo.

Grab a comfy chair and a warm blanket to observe a spectacular show of colorful meteors. The Geminid meteor shower, which can produce up to 100 meteors per hour, peaks this night. Don’t miss the phenomenal display of bright flashes of light crossing the sky as we sit under the stars listening to stories of the winter constellations. Enjoy hot cocoa and warm up by the roaring campfire! Dress for the weather. Fee: County Resident Free/NR $5.00. Adults and Families. Registration required.

• History House: After Dark
• Tuesday, December 18 from 7–8 p.m. at Powers-Walker House Historic Landmark in Glacial Park, Rt. 31 & Harts Rd. in Ringwood.

Experience the authentic atmosphere of this carefully restored home after dark. Activities will be illuminated with historically appropriate lanterns as we learn about what it was like to live in the 1860’s. Fee: County Resident Free/NR $5.00. Just for Kids ages 5–12. Registration required.

• Solstice Night Hike
• Friday, December 21 from 7–9 p.m. at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake.

The winter solstice brings our longest, darkest night to the northern hemisphere. For centuries this event has been a call for celebration; come find out why! We’ll investigate old ways to celebrate this celestial event while creating new traditions, including a candlelight night hike ending at a warm campfire. Dress for the weather and outdoor activities. We will hike approximately 1/2 mile on potentially snowy trail conditions. Please do not bring flashlights—we will let the candles and the stars light our way. Fee: County Resident $5.00/NR $7.00. Adults and Families ages 6 and up. Registration required.

Visit the District’s website at www.MCCDistrict.org to view all program and event offerings or sign up to receive the seasonal magazine Landscapes. Register online, by phone (free programs only) at (815) 479-5779, by mail-in and drop-off at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road in Crystal Lake, or drop-off only at Lost Valley Visitor Center, Route 31 and Harts Rd. in Ringwood.

PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK