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Explore nature in different forms of winter fun heading into stateline
By Marianne Mueller
Winter fun is heading into the stateline starting with the return of family favorites.
Join in a full evening to wander at the wetland and to take part in a full moon snowshoe and hike on Monday evening, Jan. 17 rom 4:30 to 8 p.m. North Pointe & Wellness light the path at Nygren Wetland with luminaries. Guests can head out on their own or take a guided tour who will give information on the Natural Land Institute and the preserve.
Places to warm up include two bonfires and a winter themed greenhouse. Take in the best of nature at its purest during this free event.
Snowshoes can either be rented or bring your own. Registration is required online at www.naturalland.org./event/wander-at-the-wetland-full-moon-snowshoe-hike-2022 or by calling 815-964-6666 by noon on Jan. 17. Please let organizers know if you plan to rent snowshoes and how many child size snowshoes you need. Adult sizes are expandable.
Nature at the Confluence in South Beloit invites children ages 4-7 to a nature kids storytelling and adventure the beautifully illustrated Ukrainian folktale about woodland animals on Saturday, Jan. 15. Story time runs from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
At the stories conclusion each child can select their own beanie baby to adopt followed by a winter hike; with beanie babies in tow. The cost to participate is $5 per child, which includes a take home beanie baby. Accompany adults can come in at no charge. Masks are required indoors. Dress for outdoors to make the best out of the overall experience. Register now for a spot at natureatthe confluence/event/the mitten-nature-kids-story time-and-activities-ages-4-7-jan-15.
Support Hononegah High School’s Girls Bowling team with recreational fun. To help raise money for the team they are hosting a Moonlight Bowling event at Viking Lanes in South Beloit on Saturday evening, Jan. 22 starting at 9:30 p.m. Play is being done in a Scotch Doubles format. In addition to friendly competition prize raffles, food and guaranteed fun round out the night. The cost is $40 per a team of two. Tickets may be purchased from any team member or coach. Contact Jeremy Woody at 815-975-0445.
Tapping into a seasonal theme is a virtual book talk and discussion with author-adventurer Anders Morely on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. Featured is Morely’s book, “This Land of Snow: A Journey Across the North in Winter. The Natural Institute is partnering with the Rockford Public Library in this special presentation. To register and to pick up more information go to https://www.naturaland..org/event/book-talk-discussion-anders-morely/
Yeti Fest is billed as “A festival where the abominable snow people of Rockton and their friends come out to enjoy come out to enjoy a mixture of winter related activities and is a celebration of all things winter and of course it all revolves around Yeti’s.” Walk, play, or skate like a Yeti.
This family friendly event grows in popularity each year along with an increase in activities to participate in during the four-day event starting on Feb. 9 through Feb. 12. This year marks the seventh of this family oriented tradition.
All are invited to help build a giant community snow fort in Settlers Park and to find the Yeti. More fun comes in the form of a scavenger hunt that can be completed in downtown Rockton where Yeti’s are set to be hidden in businesses. Search for these Yeti’s. Once you spot the Yeti’s name on a scarf print off the scavenger card posted on the Yeti Scavenger Hunt Facebook page and write down the Yeti’s name and location.
Adults can put on their best or cutest onesie to wear to a pub crawl.
Always a proven favorite is Hot Cocoa Crawl which is coming back on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now to allow participants a chance to try a variety of flavors in a commemorative mug, complete with a cool stirring spoon.
After tickets are purchased they can be picked up at the Village Municipal Center, (Village Hall) the week before the event during office hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Or the day of the event starting at 1 p.m.
After visiting places offering the hot chocolate stop into the Village Hall to vote on your favorite flavor. The HD Jameson House is the sponsor of the hot cocoa crawl.
Snow sculpting teams will be in friendly competition. An exhibition will feature stunning creations for all to enjoy. Friday evening the Free Spirit Dog Sled team will return in all its glory. Demonstrations are scheduled at different times . Come out to meet dogs and their handlers at a “Meet and Greet.”
Local businesses will be open and offering Yeti specials on eating, drinking or shopping. More details on event times can be found on Facebook.
