Celebrate during the Twelve Days of Audubon
The winter solstice is coming next week. Those who would like to celebrate the darkest day of the year — or the fact that now days will start getting longer — without the usual bustle of the season can do so on Dec. 20 (the solstice is Dec. 21) at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center.
“We'll have a labyrinth set up outside, so people can quietly walk through luminaries,” said Sandy Libertini, senior coordinator for center operations.
Guests for the evening can also take a winter lantern walk, or sip hot chocolate or mulled cider by an outdoor fire or an indoor fireplace.
The event will conclude this year's Twelve Days of Audubon.
“Last year, we started it as a virtual program,” Libertini said. “We still wanted a way to engage people, visitors, our community. We had a music program and an activity program, with six days of virtual music and six days of activities.”
It was so successful that the center staff decided to continue it in person this year.
“We got together to figure out what we could do to engage our audience — kids, families, adults — and use our beautiful space here. We have paid things, we have free things, we have things for adults, things for families,” Libertini said.
Among the more decidedly adult side is a wine and chocolate tasting on Dec. 16.
“We found out that Dec. 16 is 'Chocolate-covered Anything‘ day. So we decided to tie in with this,” Libertini said.
On Dec. 17, families can bring blankets and enjoy a free showing of “The Polar Express” at the center, which will be serving hot chocolate and cookies.
And on Dec. 18, a winter lantern walk will be followed by a hot chocolatefueled holiday sing-along with musician Heather Evans, who was a favorite of last year's attendees of the virtual celebration.
Last-minute shoppers can take advantage of a pop-up art vendor show on the afternoon of Dec. 19, with 12 vendors and a take-home craft for kids.
Also on hand during the Twelve Days celebrations will be artist-in-residence
Carol Hunsberger and her Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Andi. Hunsberger, a watercolor artist and the author of three books about her adventures with Andi in nature, will be on-site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16 and Dec 18.
“People can come in and paint and draw with her for free, get some hints,” Libertini said.
Life at the center doesn't stop after the solstice. A full slate of activities for kids is planned during the week between Christmas and New Year's, and winter lantern hikes are scheduled through January and beyond.
Visitors can borrow binoculars and bird guides and head out on the 10-mile trail along the Scioto River, or take part in free Saturday morning bird walks sponsored by the Columbus Audubon Society.
“We want to bring people here to our beautiful center,” Libertini said. “A lot of people continue to come in and say, ‘I never knew you were here! I didn't know this was open to the public! I didn't know this was free!' We're inviting people to get to know us, and then to come back.”
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