In the Beginning: Art and Lettering Through History by Margaret Soucy-Lowry at Artistic Designs Gallery

December 10th-January 28th

This exhibit features scribal art by Brownsburg's Margaret Soucy-Lowry, who secured a second-place ribbon for art at this year's Indiana State Fair.

Decoupage Pot at Frazee Gardens

January 17th, 6 pm and January 21st, 3 pm

Use their Cavallini poster/wrapping papers to cut out designs and images to decoupage (a technique of adhering images to different types of surfaces) on an 8" terracotta pot. Many images to choose from. Cost: $17

Terrific Terrariums Workshop at McCloud Nature Park

January 28th, 1-2 pm & 3-4 pm

Winter scenery got you down? Bring in your own terrarium container and we'll help you build a beautiful terrarium to help liven up your home. This program is great for the young and young at heart. Adult supervision is required for kids 8-12 years old. The program will be indoors in the Nature Center. For ages 8+. Pre-registration required by January 26.

Kid's Winter Tracking Workshop at McCloud Nature Park

January 28th, 11 am- 12:30 pm

Join our tracking team as we learn to identify and interpret the tracks left behind by the creatures that inhabit Indiana woodlands. Kids will make a track identifier and flip guide to use on the trail, and will use these handy tools on a naturalist led hike through the scenic trails. Dress for the weather and meet in the picnic area. For children, ages 8-14.

Rose Crafts Class at Frazee Gardens

January 31st, 6 pm and February 4th, 3 pm

Use one of the most popular flowers in the garden to create useful crafts for your home. You will make rose soap, rose hip tea, and rose potpourri. Cost: $24

The Rural Routes to Main Street {Super-Sized} Open House

February 2nd-4th , 11am- 5pm daily

All 15 stops along the trail feature handmade Indiana artisan products and foods and will be open with special dishes, exhibits, classes and galleries devoted to the game of football and tailgating experiences. Special events and activities include:

The Porch, Danville

A Soup Bowl Special! Guests will receive 10% off any meal that includes delicious, hot soup. Other savory offerings include salads, sandwiches, desserts and fine teas with nearly all the menu items made from scratch, in-house, using the most natural ingredients available.

Black Swan Brewpub, Plainfield

This is not your average brew pub! With 16 beers on tap, including house-brewed varieties like a cream stout and Belgian wit, it also features a rotating art exhibit on the walls, and unique menu items. With a kids' menu available, there's something for the whole family. On Friday, fill a Growler with one of the house beers for $6.50. Must be 21 years of age. On Sunday, experience Chef Nick Carter's Brunch from 10am-2pm.

Bread Basket Café and Bakery, Danville

This cozy cafe and bakery is known for its decadent desserts (try the Sweetie Pies or Baby Cakes, just right for 2-3 people) but you'll also find a full menu of soups, salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Don't miss Cinnamon Roll Saturdays! Open daily, for breakfast and lunch from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Come decorate a football-shaped cookie with your favorite team's colors between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm daily

Nomad Yarns, Plainfield

Located in a house that was built in 1890, this yarn shop offers locally spun yarn and locally produced fiber for spinning, along with a large variety of other yarns. In a make 'n take workshop, visitors can make a wearable pin in their team colors (teams playing in the Super Bowl or Colts) that should take less than one hour (no knitting or crocheting skills needed). $5 fee for supplies.

Chateau Thomas Winery, Plainfield

The Tasting Room is open daily. Wine tastings are $5.00. The reserve tasting fee is $7.00.and 3 Slender wine tastings are free. The warm atmosphere of the Tasting Room allows browsing through thousands of gift items in our Gift Shoppe including wine accessories, books, home décor, stemware, hand-crafted gift items, gourmet food, and gift baskets.
Special event Friday 2/3/2011: The Vineyard Room at Chateau Thomas Winery will have music and a home-style buffet for $12.95/person plus tax (tip not included). A cash bar will be available for wine, beer and spirits (You must be 21 to enter).

Winter Wood Burning Workshop at McCloud Nature Park

February 4th, 11 am- 12pm & 1-2 pm

Learn about basic wood burning techniques from the resident artist and volunteer Rick Martin. See examples of his work and learn more about what is involved to get started in this inexpensive and creative hobby. A limited number of wood burning tools will be on hand; participants are encouraged to bring their own. For ages 12+. Pre-registration required by February 2.

Whitetail Shed Hike at McCloud Nature Park

February 11th, 2-3:30 pm

Hike the trails looking for evidence of Indiana's biggest resident mammal, the Whitetail Deer! Like all members of the Cervidae family, our deer will be shedding their antlers in hopes of growing an even more majestic set of antlers in the upcoming season. A quick presentation of shed hunting strategies will aid you in your effort to located these cast-off treasures. Dress for the weather, a hike will follow the indoor presentation. This program is open to people of all ages, but will involve a hike over some rough terrain. For families, all ages; strollers and some very young children may not be well equipped to deal with these conditions.

Whitetail Shed Hike at Sodalis Nature Park

February 11th, 11-12pm & 1-2pm

Hike the trails looking for evidence of Indiana's biggest resident mammal, the Whitetail Deer! Like all members of the Cervidae family, our deer will be shedding their antlers in hopes of growing an even more majestic set of antlers in the upcoming season. A quick presentation of shed hunting strategies will aid you in your effort to located these cast-off treasures. Dress for the weather, the presentation and the hike will be outdoors. This program is open to people of all ages, but will involve a hike over some rough terrain. For families, all ages; strollers and some very young children may not be well equipped to deal with these conditions.

3rd Annual Girls' Night Out at Frazee Gardens

February 16th, 6 pm

Get out and beat your cabin fever at our 3rd Annual Girl's Night Out. This evening features mini demonstrations and lots of useful information from local vendors catered especially to women. Last year over 200 ladies joined us and everyone left in better spirits! Tickets cost $10 and should be purchased in advance.

Lavender Crafts Class at Frazee Gardens

February 21st, 6 pm and February 25th, 3 pm

Lavender bread, lavender tea, lavender sachets, lavender candles, lavender oil…. How many ways to use lavender? It's a great plant in the landscape, too! Yummy treats and recipes, make your own candle and oil, and take home a coupon for a lavender plant for your windowsill. (They will issue you an I.O.U. coupon and call you once the lavender plants are available as it's a little early for to get them for the class.)

Please sign up before February 16 so we can gather the necessary materials. Cost: $35

Walking Stick Workshop at Frazee Gardens

February 25th, 1-2 pm & 3-4 pm

Learn basic carving and stripping techniques and then practice them as you make your own walking stick to take with you. We will supply the walking stick blanks; however, if you have a piece of wood of your own that you would like to use, you are encouraged to bring it. For ages 12+. Pre-registration required by February 23.

Maple Syrup Days at McCloud Nature Park

March 3rd-4th & 10th-11th, Saturday - 10 am- 4 pm; Sunday - 1 - 4 pm

Learn about Native American methods of maple syrup making, Colonial American advances and modern day techniques. Maple syrup making demonstrations will show the historical and modern production methods, hands-on free tapping practice, and pointers on maple tree identification. Stop by the "Sugar Shack" and experience maple syrup production as Hoosiers have been doing for generations! Sweet samples will be available. Tours begin at the Nature Center every half-hour.

Hendricks County Parks Foundation Maple Syrup Pancake Breakfast at McCloud Nature Park

March 3rd- 4th, Saturday - 10 am- 4 pm; Sunday - 1 - 4 pm

Feast on delicious pancakes and sample maple syrup made from the trees at McCloud Nature Park! Guests will enjoy all the pancakes they can eat topped with freshly made syrup in this fun, family-oriented environment. This is a free will donation fundraiser for The Parks Foundation of Hendricks County, whose mission is to fund developments for Hendricks County Parks. Seating times are hourly and need to be reserved.

Decoupage Flower Boxes at Frazee Gardens

March 6th, 6 pm and March 10th, 3 pm

Decoupage an assortment of our pressed flowers onto small wooden boxes. The boxes are made of a thin bendable wood that would make a perfect glasses case or holder for small items in your purse. All materials provided. Cost: $10

Spring has Sprung bird hike at McCloud Nature Park

March 17th, 2 pm & 24th, 11 am

With the change of seasons, comes a transition in the makeup of our resident flock of avian visitors at the local feeding station. Come and tour the natural beauty of McCloud Nature Park as we attempt to locate and identify some of the resident and "just passing through" migratory feathered friends. Meet in the Nature Center, and then head out for a mile long hike on one of our groomed trails. Feel free to bring your binoculars and bird guide or borrow one of ours (limited quantities available). For families, all ages.