Parent’s Corner

Story Hour. Come spend an hour learning about nature at Chippewa Nature Center, 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12 p.m. June 2. The hour will include a story, crafts and other age-appropriate activities. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. For more information, visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org.

Student Loan Repayment Webinar. Michigan State University Extension will be offering a webinar, 4-5 p.m. June 2 to help navigate repaying student loans including repayment options and how to avoid default. Topics covered include types of student loans, repayment options, working with loan servicers, student loan consolidation options, public service loan forgiveness programs and options to avoid student loan default. Spend an hour to help increase financial awareness. Pre-registration is required; to register, visit www.canr.msu.edu/mimoneyhealth/ click on the link “online classes” to see this course as well as other options that might be of interest. Registration for this class closes on June 1.

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. on Thursdays. The topic on June 2 will be Modifying Recipes for Home Food Preservation. 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/PreservingMIHarvestSpring/

Chippewa Nature Center’s Native Plant Sale. This is the chance to purchase ferns, trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers that are native to Michigan. Learn the importance of using native plants in your yard, how to get started in native plant gardening and why planting native is beneficial to you, your yard and the planet. Plants will be available for immediate purchase. This event is designed for all ages (under 18 with an adult). The sale takes place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 4 and 1-4 p.m. June 5.

Homestead Sunday: Get to Know the Homestead. With spring in the air, a visit to the Homestead Farm at Chippewa Nature Center will connect you to local natural resources and rich history. From 1-5 p.m. on June 5, explore the farm and learn what spring tasks need to be completed. Visit the gardens to see what seeds are sprouting and plant some to take home. This event is designed for all ages (under 18 with an adult).

Walk Midland. Midland Parks and Recreation, in partnership with MYMichigan Health, Chippewa Nature Center, Greater Midland corporate Wellness and Little Forks Conservancy, will host seven walking locations throughout the week starting Monday, June 6 through Wednesday, Aug. 31. Participants walk an approximately two-mile walking route. Chippewa Nature Center is the Wednesday location for Walk Midland; join the fun 6-7 p.m. June 8. All ages welcome (under 18 with an adult). Drawings will be held at each walk for prizes. For each walk, participants will be registered for a grand prize Midland Staycation gift basket.

Food Safety Q & A. MSU Extension offers a weekly 30-minute informational program about food preservation. A short presentation will be shared focusing on the featured topic, leaving plenty of time for Q & A. The next session is: Don’t Eat Dirt. Join in on this quick free presentation at 1 p.m. June 6. To register, visit events.anr.msu.edu/Foodsafetyspring2022/

Investigating Food with Science. Each week at 4 p.m., youth will explore the aspects of cooking as an experiment and baking as a science. A kid-friendly recipe or experiment demonstration will be presented for youth to try at home with an adult’s assistance. The following week, youth can share their experiences or pictures. All sessions will be presented via Zoom. The June 6 topic will be Liquid Ice! To register, visit events.anr.msu.edu/IFWSwinter2022/ Any questions should be directed to Kellie Jordan at [email protected]

Recognizing, Preventing, and Treatment of Opioid Misuse in Rural Communities. Join Michigan Substance Use Prevention, Education, and Recover (MiSUPER) to review evidence-based practices for opioid misuse prevention, treatment and recovery. This 60-minute webinar provides an overview of the opioid epidemic, how opioid misuse impacts the body and Michigan communities, and how we can support people in recovery. The next webinar will be presented by MISUPER MSU Extension staff, 12-1 p.m.  June 12. To register and find additional webinar dates, visit www.canr.msu.edu/misuper/   

Safe Food = Healthy Kids. MSU Extension is offering a three-hour online training for childcare providers with the Safe Food = Healthy Kids (SFHK) program, 1-2:30 p.m. June 20 and 22 (participants will be required to attend both days of this two-part class). Learn the best practices for food safety to keep the children in your care safe. Food safety education topics discussed in the class include proper cleaning and sanitizing, cooking, storing food, as well as personal hygiene and more. SFHK is an approved training for Great Start to Quality, so this class will count toward annual training hours. The class is facilitated by MSU Extension Food Safety Educators. To register, visit events.anr.msu.edu/SFHKWinterSpring22/  This is a free program, and participants must attend the whole session to receive their training hours.