Ski for Free, Viewing Night, Cranberry Lecture at Crossroads

Finally it looks and feels like winter at Crossroads at Big Creek.

On Feb. 2, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, and Sunday, Feb. 3, 1-3:30 pm, if conditions permit, Crossroads will run the Ski for Free program. The Crossroads Ski for Free program lends, free of charge, an array of ski and snowshoe equipment in sizes to fit age three through large adult. When trail conditions permit, go to the Crossroads Maintenance Building, where volunteers will fit you with equipment, share a few pointers and a trail map, and send you out on the trails. When you’re finished, return the equipment and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. The Friends of Crossroads and Door County Silent Sports Alliance sponsor this program. Check crossroadsatbigcreek.org for current trail conditions and/or closings.

On Feb. 2 at 7 pm, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society (DPAS) will open the Leif Everson Observatory to members and the public, and DPAS members will point out the winter constellations and deep-sky objects. Because the DPAS is a part of an observatory network, it can hold a viewing night even during cloudy conditions by pulling in telescope images from other places in the U.S. and Canada. The viewing night is free and open to the public. The Astronomy Campus is located at 2200 Utah St. in Sturgeon Bay.

DPAS will also hold a meeting at Crossroads on Feb. 5 at 7 pm. The program will feature the Mercury Program and U.S. satellites. The video topic will be Brian Cox. Refreshments will be served. The meeting at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center, 2200 Utah St., is free and open the open to the public.

On Feb. 5 at 7 pm, Crossroads will host the Door County Master Gardener lecture “Wisconsin’s State Fruit: The Cranberry.” Annie Deutsch of UW-Extension will explain their unusual growing environment and harvesting methods and discuss some of the industry’s research efforts to make cranberry production more efficient and deal with pests that attack cranberries. The presentation in the Lecture Hall of the Collins Learning Center is free and open to the public.

Crossroads is a donor-supported educational center comprising three preserves. The Collins Learning Center, at 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay, is open 2-4 daily and during scheduled events. Trails and restrooms are free and open to the public 24/7.