Winter Wonders,
the archive
Winter Wonders 2021
Four mini-events welcoming visitors to the park and to the cozy fireside of The Lodge
photo by Clive Fetzer
Father Christmas leads his elves toward the Lodge entrance , December 11. Photo by Clive Fetzer
2020 pandemic alternative: Decorated Trees, plus Trails and Trivia
2019 - Cozy Up to Winter Wonders
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Top: Spring Mist Farms' horse drawn carriage takes guests past Amity House. Lower left: Frozen hot chocolate. Lower center: Sunny the "Reinhorse" awaits riders. Lower right: cookie decorating craft. All photos by Rob Richardson except where otherwise noted
Saturday, December 7,11am- 3pm.
Besides our annual cookie sale (where cookies will be sold for $12/lb. and other tasteful delights will be available for purchase at various prices), we will have horse-drawn wagon rides provided by Spring Mist Farms from 12-2 pm ( cost is $10 per adult / $5 for children 3-11, and free for children 2 and under) and a guided hike at 2:15 p.m. led by Pat Hayes of the Ohio Buckeye Trail Association
Inside the festively decorated Gund Hall, there will be a hot cocoa bar ( featuring gourmet frozen hot chocolate) and a s'more's bar. For children we'll be offering face painting courtesy of Revere High School art Students, 2 different nature crafts and storytelling by the fireside from 12-2 p.m. provided by Diane Nagy from the Richfield Branch Library.
Throughout the day 50/50 raffle tickets will be sold, and an array of holiday music will be played to entertain our guests. Sunny the Reindeer Horse will be on hand for kids to pet and sit on - and word on the trail has it that Father Christmas himself may make an appearance astride his beloved horse.
Proceeds from Cozy Up to Winter Wonders go toward the restoration of Kirby's Mill
Customers flow in when the doors open!
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Deck the Hall! The central fireplace outfitted for Christmas festivities
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Face painting by art students from Revere High School
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Chuck Rankin, Molly Eastwood, and Cynthia McWilliams. Chuck and his wife Kathleedn donated the Christams trees. Molly brought her horse, Sunny, and transformed him into a festive rein house. Cynthia co-organized the event and created the beautiful floral arrangements throughout. This photo and the phoot of the arrangement to the right by Chris Naizer.
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Artist garlen oviatt, sescentndat of the first permanent settler in what is now RHP, transformed slices of old camp tent posts into beautiful ornaments.
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Close up of some of Oviatt's ornaments.
For the first time this year, a small selection of independent craft vendors were invited to test market the Winter Wonders venue. Here, Mason of Vitromancy Glass displays unusual creations.
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Father Christmas arrives at Gund Hall. Photo by Beth Sanderson
The 2019 Call for Christmas cookies
Hello Fellow Bakers!
The 8th annual Christmas Cookie Sale is an important component of Cozy Up to Winter Wonders at Richfield Heritage Preserve, presented by the Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) and the Richfield Joint Recreation District. Like last year, the event includes children's activities, storytelling, and more. All the details are being worked out right now with our Winter Wonders Planning Committee.
~~ Winter Wonders is Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
in Gund Hall at Richfield Heritage Preserve, 4374 Broadview Rd, Richfield, OH 44286
As the organizer of the Cookie Sale part of the day, I invite you to bake some of your most scrumptious holiday treats.
We're looking for people who like to bake from scratch, and are willing to bake six dozen or more cookies.
~~~DETAILS FOR BAKERS ~~~
--Bake at least 6 DOZEN COOKIES. Make one variety, or several. The more you bake, the more funds we'll raise.
--Cookies should be homemade, from scratch. No mixes, please.
--No chocolate chip cookies.
--Arrange your cookies on a platter(s) ---> presentation helps to sell the cookies!
--We are not able to return cookie platters. Please bring your cookies on a disposable platter, plate, pan from the dollar store. If that won't work, contact me directly.
--Deliver cookies on Sat. 12/7 to Gund Hall between 8:30-9:30am.
--We are working on drop-off cookie locations - stay tuned for more information.
Questions? Please call, text email me at 216-410-6550 or dspiegler@gmail.com
So, will you bake cookies for a great cause? Let me know asap.
Ask your fellow baking friends! We are looking for more bakers, as last year we sold out EARLY! Forward contact info (email, phone) so that I can contact them.
I'll send reminders in Oct. and then in early Nov. to ask you what you'll be baking -- time to look through your cookie recipes!
Thank you in advance,
Donna "I love cookies" Spiegler -- dspiegler@gmail.com -- 216-410-6550
The 8th annual Christmas Cookie Sale is an important component of Cozy Up to Winter Wonders at Richfield Heritage Preserve, presented by the Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) and the Richfield Joint Recreation District. Like last year, the event includes children's activities, storytelling, and more. All the details are being worked out right now with our Winter Wonders Planning Committee.
~~ Winter Wonders is Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
in Gund Hall at Richfield Heritage Preserve, 4374 Broadview Rd, Richfield, OH 44286
As the organizer of the Cookie Sale part of the day, I invite you to bake some of your most scrumptious holiday treats.
We're looking for people who like to bake from scratch, and are willing to bake six dozen or more cookies.
~~~DETAILS FOR BAKERS ~~~
--Bake at least 6 DOZEN COOKIES. Make one variety, or several. The more you bake, the more funds we'll raise.
--Cookies should be homemade, from scratch. No mixes, please.
--No chocolate chip cookies.
--Arrange your cookies on a platter(s) ---> presentation helps to sell the cookies!
--We are not able to return cookie platters. Please bring your cookies on a disposable platter, plate, pan from the dollar store. If that won't work, contact me directly.
--Deliver cookies on Sat. 12/7 to Gund Hall between 8:30-9:30am.
--We are working on drop-off cookie locations - stay tuned for more information.
Questions? Please call, text email me at 216-410-6550 or dspiegler@gmail.com
So, will you bake cookies for a great cause? Let me know asap.
Ask your fellow baking friends! We are looking for more bakers, as last year we sold out EARLY! Forward contact info (email, phone) so that I can contact them.
I'll send reminders in Oct. and then in early Nov. to ask you what you'll be baking -- time to look through your cookie recipes!
Thank you in advance,
Donna "I love cookies" Spiegler -- dspiegler@gmail.com -- 216-410-6550
Debbie Kazar and a friend at the craft table
Volunteer Carrie Norris Marshall: cookie elf. photo by Beth Sanderson
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john & Chris Naizer relaxing on the couch in front of the fire.
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Creative S'more options at the s'mores bar
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A happy customer with her frozen hot chocolate
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Ready to serve at the cookie weigh station
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Storytime. Photo by Beth Sanderson
Akron's famous Blue Santa is introduced to the Winter Wonder volunteers by Michael Cohill of the American Toy Marble Museum. Photes by Clive Fetzer
Peggy Couch meets Blue Santa
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Blue Santa with Lynne & Dick Johnson
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Betty Vandermeer holds Blue Santa close to her heart
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Winter Wonders 2018
Miss LInda of Hitch in Time prepares to take visitors around the park while Sunny the Rein-Horse looks on from his corral .............................Photo by Chris Naizer
Mary, Donna, and Lynne arrange the cookies. photo by Joanie Gottschling
Music by Castle Garden. above: Rob on hammer dulcimer. Photo by Carrie Norris Marshall. below: Paul Certo on guitar photo by Rob Richardson. Polly Wheeler also sat in with her mountain dulcimer
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Decor by Cynthia McWilliams
Amity photos by Chris Naizer
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The mighty Christmas tree in the center of the Hall. Photo by Becky Richardson
Nancy Sandlin ran the cookie-decorating station. Photo by Dawn Woodward
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Cheryl checking the soups! ...................................photo by Joanie Gottschling
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Father Christmas arrived on his trusty steed to greet children in the Hall.
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Just some of the crew! Photo by Rob Richardson
Calvin rides the Sunny the Red-nosed Rein-horse................................................... Photo by Carrie Norris Marshall
Bingo pulls the carriage. Photo by Becky Richardson
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Sandy, the Raffle Ticket Lady. Photo by Chris Naizer
Western Reserve Land Conservancy leads a nature hike around Lake Linnea. Photo by Becky Richardson
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A few of the many types of cookies that were for sale. Photos by Carolyn Thompson
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Karen runs the check out table. Photo by Chris Naizer. Not pictured: assitants Susan Loughery & April Hawkins
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Forest creatures watch from an upper loft......Photo by Rob Richardson
The hearth is the heart of a home. Decor by Cynthia McWilliams. Photo by Rob Richardson
Diane Nagy from the Richfield Library led story time by the fireside.
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Guests of all ages enjoy the fireside Cozy Couch
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Hale Farm lent a 1930's truck to transport Christmas magic from another era
Traffic control experts: Nancy and Clive
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Mastermind: Cynthia
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Peering through the doll house window.............photo by Chris Naizer
Happiness is a neat soup line...................photo by Joanie Gottschling
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Corey in a rare moment of holding still
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Meg Slifcak ( in red sweater) provided the original inspiration
Mike Wheeler and Bob Becker join the festivities
Katrina and Sam watch over the cocoa bar
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volunteer Sarah at the checkout table
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Gund Hall in full Glory
Cook's Cabin - hand painted by r. garlen oviatt on a slice of discarded tent pole from the old Camp Crowell Hilaka. The tiny cabin, nestled in a grove of hemlock trees on the edge of the creek behind Garfield Hall, was built in 1937 to provide lodging for the camp cook. It often went unnoticed until the re-routing of the Buckeye Trail past the cabin. It now represents an idyllic yet solitary forest retreat. Only $10 plus $5 for shipping. Send check to FoCH / 100 Wandle Ave. / Bedford OH 44146
The Preparations
One month countdown - daily facebook posts. each featuring a different aspect of the event
Christmas ornaments by r. garlen oviatt
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r.garlen oviatt, FoCH member and artist, is directly descended from the first permanent settlers at Richfield Heritage Preserve - Mason & Fanny Oviatt. Mason built the house at 3771 Oviatt Rd. in 1836 where they raised their family of eleven children.
In 2017, garlen decided to help FoCH by designing and making hand-painted ornaments. The ornaments featured Kirby's Mill and were painted on slices of wood made from a discarded tent pole from the old Camp Crowell Hilaka. Thus,each lovingly painted ornament encapsulates three eras of park history: a base that is literally a slice of camp life, decorated with an image of Kirby's iconic 1922 Mill, painted by one of the pioneer Oviatt descendants. The ornaments sold out immediately - with requests for purchase coming from camp alumni all across the United States. For 2018- garlen is producing a limited number of new tiny treasures. Stay tuned |
Concept description
Please join us for a cozy winter day in the park at the new 336-acre Richfield Heritage Preserve!
Leave the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind and instead celebrate the joy of the season in the peaceful surroundings of the park. The Friends of Crowell Hilaka will be hosting their 7th annual cookie sale -- with all proceeds being used to benefit the park.
Don’t miss out on obtaining the second year’s edition of a park-themed collectible ornament handcrafted by Ray Garlen Oviatt – whose ancestors, Mason and Fanny, built their home on the property in 1836 and farmed there for many years.
While exploring the trails, you may notice the four new historic interpretive signs (at the southern end of the property), the newly routed upcycled wayfinding signs, or an outbuilding with a fresh coat of paint. These are just a few examples of the Friends of Crowell Hilaka working together with the community to support and improve the park.
Enjoy a guided hike which will lead you past a few of the historic homes which have been festively decorated or participate in a nature scavenger hunt hosted by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
After hiking, return to Gund Hall to warm up with a savory soup lunch and relax while listening to live holiday folk music.
Help make lasting memories for those special children in your life by bringing them to this extraordinary holiday treasure. Younger guests will be treated to storytelling around a crackling fire, nature crafts for the making, cookie decorating and face painting – all held in Gund Hall.
Return to days gone by and simpler times with a horse drawn carriage ride ($10 per adult /$5 per child ages 10 and under).
Close your eyes and dare to dream – you might just call forth a visit from Father Christmas himself astride his beloved horse.
Inventor Jim Kirby had numerous inventions and engineering wonders located throughout the property -- the favorite being his hydroelectric water wheel once used to generate electricity for his workshop and home. Our goal is to share the story of Mr. Kirby and his creativity in order to inspire the next generation of inventors.
With that in mind, this year we are focusing on the restoration of Kirby’s Mill. The Friends of Crowell Hilaka have engaged an architect as well as a structural engineer to assist in this endeavor and while the entire plan is being developed, arrangements have been made to replace the roof and restore the windows this fall to help protect the structure from any further damage until the full restoration can be completed. The park board is committed to upgrading and restoring the dam, built by Kirby, that created the lower lake for which he had invented a patented, self-clarifying system. Be sure to check out the exhibit, located in Gund Hall, on the Articulated Concrete Blocks -- an innovative system that will be used to protect the earthen dam in case of flooding. While the system has been utilized in other areas of the country, this will be its first use in Ohio -- setting a precedent for future projects in the state. Once the dam renovation is accomplished, the Friends group will move forward with the mill restoration.
We hope you are able to attend this “winter wonder” at the park on December 1! Happy Holidays!
Leave the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind and instead celebrate the joy of the season in the peaceful surroundings of the park. The Friends of Crowell Hilaka will be hosting their 7th annual cookie sale -- with all proceeds being used to benefit the park.
Don’t miss out on obtaining the second year’s edition of a park-themed collectible ornament handcrafted by Ray Garlen Oviatt – whose ancestors, Mason and Fanny, built their home on the property in 1836 and farmed there for many years.
While exploring the trails, you may notice the four new historic interpretive signs (at the southern end of the property), the newly routed upcycled wayfinding signs, or an outbuilding with a fresh coat of paint. These are just a few examples of the Friends of Crowell Hilaka working together with the community to support and improve the park.
Enjoy a guided hike which will lead you past a few of the historic homes which have been festively decorated or participate in a nature scavenger hunt hosted by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.
After hiking, return to Gund Hall to warm up with a savory soup lunch and relax while listening to live holiday folk music.
Help make lasting memories for those special children in your life by bringing them to this extraordinary holiday treasure. Younger guests will be treated to storytelling around a crackling fire, nature crafts for the making, cookie decorating and face painting – all held in Gund Hall.
Return to days gone by and simpler times with a horse drawn carriage ride ($10 per adult /$5 per child ages 10 and under).
Close your eyes and dare to dream – you might just call forth a visit from Father Christmas himself astride his beloved horse.
Inventor Jim Kirby had numerous inventions and engineering wonders located throughout the property -- the favorite being his hydroelectric water wheel once used to generate electricity for his workshop and home. Our goal is to share the story of Mr. Kirby and his creativity in order to inspire the next generation of inventors.
With that in mind, this year we are focusing on the restoration of Kirby’s Mill. The Friends of Crowell Hilaka have engaged an architect as well as a structural engineer to assist in this endeavor and while the entire plan is being developed, arrangements have been made to replace the roof and restore the windows this fall to help protect the structure from any further damage until the full restoration can be completed. The park board is committed to upgrading and restoring the dam, built by Kirby, that created the lower lake for which he had invented a patented, self-clarifying system. Be sure to check out the exhibit, located in Gund Hall, on the Articulated Concrete Blocks -- an innovative system that will be used to protect the earthen dam in case of flooding. While the system has been utilized in other areas of the country, this will be its first use in Ohio -- setting a precedent for future projects in the state. Once the dam renovation is accomplished, the Friends group will move forward with the mill restoration.
We hope you are able to attend this “winter wonder” at the park on December 1! Happy Holidays!