Janet Geeza looks over the book “Mossy the Turtle.” Some of the activities at the Streamside Park in Dalton were based on this book.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
‘Winter Wondering and Wandering’ provides plenty of fun, education
Under the branches of a spruce tree, stories were read by Celeste Cali, left, and Janet Geeza to Ronan McAulliffe and his younger brother, Gabriel.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Under the branches of a spruce tree, stories were read by Celeste Cali, left, and Janet Geeza to Ronan McAulliffe and his younger brother, Gabriel, in Streamside Park in Dalton.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
A broom-hockey game was one of the activities at the Streamside Park during the ‘Winter Wondering and Wandering’ event.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
A pair of trolls hang from the branches of a spruce tree at the Streamside Park in Dalton.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Janet Geeza reads a story to Ronan and Gabriel McAulliffe under the branches of a spruce tree.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
A gnome decortes the top of the Bookworm Box put their by children visiting the Streamside Park in Dalton for the ‘Winter Wondering and Wandering’ event.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
DALTON — Children attending a “Winter Wondering and Wandering” activity at Streamside Park here on Dec. 10 were advised to bring along a box of raisins, shelled nuts or a stuffed animal native to the area around the park.
That’s because the adventure took participants through a wooded area around the park to enjoy a nature-themed story reading and to learn about the impact the winter season has on both humans and animals.
Janet Geeza pointed out to young participants that human beings rely on heavy clothing, hats, scarves and gloves to keep them warm as temperatures dropped.
But many animals including turtles and bears, hibernate or adapt their body temperatures to the cold weather.
Youngsters also got a chance to play “broom hockey” and to enjoy a short hike.
The event was part of a series of presentations entitled “Nature and Nurture Network,” the brainchild of Geeza and Celeste Cali.
Before retiring, both women worked at Lackawanna Trail grade school. Geeza taught kindergarten and first grade. Cali was a librarian.
The two women shared a love for nature and for learning and thought putting together kid-friendly activities at the park was a win-win.
When asked about which age groups have attended the activity, Geeza said it is open for those “zero through 150.”
Many of those attending, though, have been grade schoolers accompanied by parents or grandparents.
The monthly activities at the park, which were approved by Dalton Borough Council, have brought a bit of transformation to the area.
Youngsters have painted a series of “heart rocks” which are displayed at the park inviting youngsters to take two – one for themselves and one for a friend.
The park also hosts a Bookworm Box containing nature-themed books to be read while sitting on a shady park bench provided.
Although many such library boxes invite readers to take a book home, these nature books are to remain at the park.
Michele O’Connor brought her gradeschool age grandsons Gabriel and Ronan out for the activity.
Although it was cold — temperatures hovered at about 32 degrees — the boys seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the event.
O’Connor said both boys are homeschooled and belong to the Boy Scouts.
“They are used to learning about nature,” she said.
O’Connor said she thought the “Nature and Nurture Network” program at the park has been a wonderful way for youngsters to get to know the recreation area.
