CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — Do you feel as if summer has passed you by?
Satisfy your urge to take in the local sights — and frights — this fall, such as the Barberton Mum Fest on Sept. 24, with an explosion of color featuring 17,000 chrysanthemums, or “The Little Shop of Horrors” on Sept. 28, on stage at the Hanna Theater.
Register with Orange Community Education & Recreation and leave the planning and logistics to them.
Mum Fest travelers will visit Lake Anna Park for the 32nd annual event. Before heading back, enjoy a late lunch at Hobocan Gardens, featuring Barberton’s famous fried chicken. The fee is $79 for residents of the Orange School District and $89 for non-residents. It includes transportation and lunch.
Travel to Cleveland’s theater district for the sci-fi smash musical “The Little Shop of Horrors,” featuring songs such as “Suddenly, Seymour,” “Skid Row” and “Somewhere That’s Green.” Enjoy seating in the Orchestra A section. The fee is $79 for school district residents and $89 for non-residents, and includes theater tickets and transportation.
The travel group heads to Geneva wine country on Oct. 1 for a tour and tasting at Debonne Winery and stops at three to four additional wineries. The tour is $84 for school district and $89 for non-residents.
Let’s hope they are not serving bone broth: On Oct. 6, visit the Steele Mansion for lunch and take a tour of myths and legends, along with a tour of Painesville’s Evergreen Cemetery, featuring some famous and infamous residents. The cost is $79 to $89.
Whether you spend your money at the IKEA store or at the Rivers Casino, the bus is set to take you to Pittsburgh Nov. 4. The fee is $59 for Orange School District residents and $69 for non-residents.
To register for any of these trips or for more information, visit orangerec.com or call 216-831-8601.
How recipes make holiday memories: Gia Silverman presents a program on women’s roles as keepers of Jewish and Rosh Hashanah traditions at 7 p.m. Sept. 7, outdoors in the Wain Pavilion at Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd. in Pepper Pike.
Silverman will discuss how the High Holidays are moments to reflect on connections to the past and visions of the future, not only through prayer, but also through making special recipes. These recipes have traveled through history, connecting us to our families and communities.
The community is invited to attend this free program. Register by Friday (Sept. 2) by contacting Ellen Petler at epetler@parksyn.org or 216-371-2244, extension 122.
Looking for big trees: The hunt is on for Geauga County’s biggest tulip tree. If you believe you know where it is, you have until Sept. 6 to submit your nomination to the Geauga County Soil and Water Conservation District, at geaugaswcd.com. Or call 440-834-1122. Judging criteria is posted on the website.
Looking for birds: A 24-hour birding challenge will take place Sept. 9-10 as part of the Chagrin River Bird Quest, held through the Geauga Park District, the Greater Cleveland Audubon Society and Blackbrook Audubon.
The adventure begins now, with registration on the clevelandaudubon.org website under “bird quest.” Then check in from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at The West Woods in Russell Township to pick up maps, checklists and T-shirts — all free — and talk strategy with teammates and naturalists.
Then, spend the next 24 hours birding before returning to The West Woods to turn in your checklist for judging and enjoying hearty refreshments, door prizes and refreshments.
Contact clevelandaudubon.org for information and challenge rules.
Solve a ‘Murder by the Falls’: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is holding its annual Murder by the Falls fundraiser at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 at the Main Stage theater, 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls.
Prepare to help solve “Murder, Center Stage,” an original who-done-it murder mystery play penned by local syndicated theater critic and entertainment writer Bob Ableman, directed by Don Bernardo.
General admission tickets are $50. Special VIP tickets priced at $75 are available and offer perks such as a 5:30 p.m. cocktail party in the Sears River Room, featuring complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. All participants will receive a complimentary copy of Ableman’s novella, from which the play is adapted.
To post your news and events, contact Rusek at jcooperrusek@gmail.com.
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