MSU Extension of Midland County and cooperating parent educators sponsor the Parent’s Corner. Send submissions to Midland County MSU Extension Educator, Sheila Salo at 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640 or salo@msu.edu
Food Safety Q & A: MSU Extension will offer a week 30-minute informational program about freezing fruit at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1. Food preservation or other related food safety topics will be offered each week. A short presentation will be shared focusing on the featured topic, leaving plenty of time for Q & A. Join in on this quick, free presentation. To register, visit events.anr.msu.edu/Foodsafetyspring2022/ or call 888-643-9882.
Walk Midland: Chippewa Nature Center will be the location for Walk Midland, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3. Midland Parks and Recreation, in partnership with MyMichigan Health, Greater Midland Corporate Wellness and Little Forks Conservancy, will host seven walking locations. Each walk will be approximately a two-mile walking route. Drawings will be held at each walk for prizes. To learn more, visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org. This free program is open to all ages (under 18 with an adult).
Story Hour: Come spend an hour learning about nature at 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather, as it is held outdoors. The program will move indoors if the weather is poor. This program is designed for all ages (under 18 with an adult). For more information, visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org. This event is free.
Voyageur Canoe Paddling at River Days: Try your hand paddling in a 29-foot replica Voyageur canoe on the Tittabawassee and Chippewa Rivers during the River Days Festival. From11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, Chippewa Nature Center staff will be hosting short paddling trips near the Tridge in downtown Midland. This free event is open to all ages (under 18 with an adult).
Preserving MI Harvest Series. Michigan State University Extension will be offering a series of food preservation classes online, these free classes will be offered at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursdays. The next topic will be “Pickling: Cucumbers and So Much More.” Cucumbers are one of the most popular items to pickle. Discover the proper steps to pickling produce like cucumbers and beyond. These sessions will not be recorded, they will only be offered live. Supporting materials will be emailed to all participants after each broadcast. Join in the fun, sign up for one, some or all these educational sessions. There is time at the end of each program to ask questions. To register, visit: events.anr.msu.edu/PreservingMIHarvest/
Homestead Sunday – Fun on the Farm: What kind of chores did they do on the farm? Stop by 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7 at Chippewa Nature Center and help out, the chickens need to be fed, the gardens tended and repairs made. From sunrise to sunset there are always tasks to complete! This event is free.
Midland Prescription for Health: Midland County Prescription for Health is a program in collaboration with MyMichigan Medical Center, the Midland Area Farmers Market, and Michigan State University Extension. Attend a free six-lesson workshop – set for 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 17, 24, 31 and Sept. 7, 14, 21 – focused on nutrition and shopping at the farmers market. For every lesson participants complete, they will receive $10 in vouchers to be used at the Midland Area Farmers Market. Learn about the farmers, food and food assistance available at the Midland Area Farmers Market and build confidence in shopping there through a weekly guided tour. To register, call MSU Extension at 989-385-5144. This event is free.