The Olde Fashioned Christmas returns to Lanterman’s Mill

It didn’t take long.

Thanksgiving is over and the Santa Claus sightings have begun, beginning at the Olde Fashioned Christmas at Mill Creek MetroPark’s Lanterman’s Mill on Saturday.

For the past 30 years, the Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill has served as the holiday-season kickoff event for families across the Mahoning Valley. The 172-year-old mill was decorated in hand-crafted pine wreaths and swags, with the interior hosting dozens of poinsettia plants’ vendors and, naturally, Santa.

A group of volunteers spent Thursday and Friday setting up the mill for the event, cleaning and dusting and collecting pine boughs for the outdoor decorations. Each of the swags adorning the outside of the mill was created by mixing pine bough varieties and were assembled by hand.

By 3 p.m. Saturday, Maureen Weetman, the Mill Creek MetroParks’ program and event coordinator, said more than 4,300 individuals had visited the mill, and she expected to see more than 5,000 visitors by the end of Saturday. She said she expected similar numbers today when the event continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weetman also said the majority of the event’s 15 vendors were longtime veterans of the Olde Fashioned Christmas, and that the event falling on Small Business Saturday was a “happy coincidence.”

Inside the mill, the plucks of guitar strings and the organlike tones of an accordion carried holiday tunes throughout the building while visitors meandered among the vendors.

Of the vendors in the basement of the mill were Ed Lipp, from New Castle, Pa., who had a selection of hand-crafted birdhouses available for sale, and Linda Szmara, displaying a collection of meticulously detailed painted rocks.

Lipp’s birdhouses were made from reclaimed material – sewer pipes, PVC tubing, old boots – and were painted, each showing off a different texture pattern across the front. Many of the houses were topped with copper, though a few sported A-frame slate roofs instead.

Szmara’s stones were painted to resemble animals – mice, rabbits and raccoons, among others – with some images so accurately rendered it would not be difficult to mistake her creations for the real thing.

She is a 10-year veteran of the event, and says she has met individuals from across the country while selling her creations during the Olde Fashioned Christmas.

“I have a lot of repeat customers,” she said. “Being so close to Thanksgiving, this event attracts a lot of out-of-town visitors, too, so I see people from all over who remember my booth here and stop by to see me year after year.”

Scott Lanz, a local photographer, had more than a dozen canvas photo prints capturing the beauty of Mill Creek Park available for purchase, as well as post cards and holiday cards bearing his work. He said the event was a way for visitors to connect with the park and celebrate the nostalgia of whatever era of Youngstown they experienced as the mill has stood through it all.

“I had a woman today who has a relative who grew up in Youngstown that lives in Arizona. She got her a holiday card with a photo of the mill covered in snow to send to her,” he said. “People like those little bits of nostalgia.”

Outside the mill, Ray Novotny, a former 30-plus year naturalist at the park and now a volunteer, was roasting chestnuts for visitors to sample.

Novotny, who has been the event’s chestnut cook for more than 12 years, said people’s reactions when trying the nuts for the first time is almost universally “delightful surprise.”

Tim and Susan Leetch of Boardman attended with their son Owen.

“It’s tradition,” Susan Leetch, who had attended for the past 14 years, said. “It seems to get better every year. Always a little different, but mostly the same.”

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Kids mingle with Santa at Mill Creek farm in Canfield

Santa made a stop at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm in Canfield Sunday afternoon.

Kids had a chance to get their picture taken with Santa or a check out a reindeer and other animals for free.

Organizers said this event is very weather dependent.

But this year, Mother Nature cooperated and the farm got a nice crowd.

“We noticed people as they’re coming in — they’re meeting in the parking lot,” said Brenda Markley, agriculture education manager. “So it’s like grandma, grandpa driving separately, aunts and uncles, cousins. So it’s kind of a family gathering thing and they’re all coming together to watch the kids with Santa and the animals.”

For just a dollar, the kids could make an ornament to hang on the Christmas tree.

Mill Creek MetroParks presents Winter Celebration: Toyland

From December 2 through December 31, the D. D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center will be adorned for the annual Winter Celebration event, which is sponsored by WKBN 27 First News. This year’s theme, “Toyland” can be experienced by visitors Tuesdays – Sundays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. with special extended hours on Saturdays.  

Bring the family to “come play!”, as you discover Toyland in the Davis Center. Show your kids favorite games and toys from your past as you wander amongst giant game pieces, ten-foot toy soldiers, and more. Plus, participate in a scavenger hunt, and of course, the beauty of seasonal blooms. Guests will also be able to experience the annual tree walk on display throughout the Davis Center where non-profit organizations display their uniquely decorated trees.

Every Saturday in December, the Gardens will be open until 7 p.m. for guests to experience Winter Celebration Nights. The celebration of winter beauty with an outdoor light display, near the Davis Center, the Toy Workshop and Reindeer Games. Plus, find that perfect gift at the Shop in the Gardens and savor refreshments available for purchase in the Garden Café.

Mill Creek MetroParks, Fellows Riverside Gardens is proud to present this family-friendly free event. In the spirit of giving, non-perishable food item donations are being accepted for the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. Please note special dates for Visitor Center hours include being CLOSED on Mondays.

Spend Your Holiday Weekend in Mill Creek MetroParks

Kick off your holiday weekend with a Black Friday Sale at the Mill Creek Golf Course Golf Shop on November 24. Stop in from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to get your favorite golfers something special for next season.

On Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. visit Lanterman’s Mill for Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ/WBCB, guests will be able to see Lanterman’s Mill dressed in holiday finery for this traditional, family-friendly, free event. Taste chestnuts roasted on an open fire, watch artisans demonstrate old fashioned crafts, purchase unique handcrafted gifts, and enjoy festive entertainment. To share the holiday spirit with others, bring a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to decorate a “Giving Tree.” Donated items will warm up children in need this winter.

On Sunday, November 26 head over to the MetroParks Farm for Santa’s Winter Barn. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Santa will make an appearance with some of his animal friends from around the world as he gets his reindeer ready for that big night. Come sit in his sleigh for a holiday picture and make a holiday craft to take home. The family-friendly free event is held in the barn which is not heated, so dress appropriately. There is a $1 fee for the children’s holiday craft.

 

Mill Creek MetroParks Road Closure

On Friday, November 10, 2017, East Newport Drive (from Kreider’s Entrance to Kiwatha Road) will be closed to vehicular traffic for construction activity. The work is expected to last for one day. While the road is closed, access to Daffodil Meadow and the East Newport Boat Launch will be limited to pedestrian traffic. 

Notice of November Board Meeting

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of Mill Creek MetroParks will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 6 p.m. in McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, in Canfield, on Rt. 46. The agenda will be available after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Notice of MetroParks Standing Committee Meeting

The Wildlife Standing Committee to the Board of Park Commissioners will meet on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 3 p.m. in Classroom A at the MetroParks Farm in Canfield.

Completion of Capital Improvement Project Reopens West Newport Drive

As part of the MetroParks’ ongoing capital improvement initiative, Mill Creek MetroParks has reopened to vehicular traffic West Newport Drive in Mill Creek Park between Canfield Road (Route 62) and Hampton Drive. The section of drive was closed since early October for an extensive improvement project. The project, awarded to Shelly & Sands Inc. for $183,420.75, was designed to improve stormwater drainage and roadway surface conditions for park users. The improvements included replacement of catch basins and stormwater conduit, linear grading and ditching, resetting historic sandstone curb, pavement planing, new courses of asphalt, and pavement marking. 

Shop in the Gardens will host holiday event

The Shop in the Gardens at Fellows Riverside Gardens, 123 McKinley Ave., will host its holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.Shoppers will receive a 20 percent discount on all holiday merchandise. Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens members are invited to attend a preview sale and cocktail party with live music from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres and gift wrap will be provided. Memberships will be available to purchase at the door. Proceeds from the event will benefit Fellows Riverside Gardens. Above, from left, are Janet Yaniglos, Friends vice president; Jeanne Simeone, shop buyer; and Eileen Stankovich, shop manager.

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Jack-o’-lanterns illuminate walkways

Mill Creek Metroparks hosted its annual Pumpkin Walk at Twilight event at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Oct. 15.

The gardens had pumpkins along the walkways and on ledges throughout the park. The park also had music, face painting and other events in the park and in the D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center.

The park opened workshops for pumpkin carving to the public between Oct. 12-14. More than 500 people came to the workshops. This added to the collection of pumpkins the park already had for the event, which gave them a total of more than 1,500 pumpkins.

The Ford Nature Center and pumpkin artist Ron Roberts had displays in the Kidston Pavilion overlooking Lake Glacier. The Ford Nature Center had a “Creatures of the Night“ exhibit, where they showed pictures, skins and taxidermy of different animals. Roberts had a set up of some of his extremely detailed pumpkin carvings for his display.

J.D. Eicher sang and played guitar in the gazebo for the walkers. His music could be heard all along the pumpkin paths.

The park also had events inside the Davis Center. The Kravitz’s Garden Caf had cookies and hot dogs for sale and gave away free apple cider.

In the basement, they had a panel from different people and organizations. The panel included the Mahoning Valley Dahlia Society, Audubon Society of the Mahoning Valley, the Garden District Neighborhood, Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown, zoologist and bug enthusiast Jim Smolka, artist Jim Green and author Hugh Earnhart.

The two rooms in the basement also were the locations for events. Jeanne Rees and her daughters had a face painting area in one room and the other room had a place for children to decorate small pumpkins.

Mill Creek Metroparks has run the event for 12 years.

The walk has evolved over the years, including the additions of Jim Smolka four years ago and Ron Roberts two years ago.

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