OUTDOOR LIVING
Bringing Light to the Darkness Winter solstice is December 21st in the northern hemisphere. Leading up to this shortest day of the year, the evenings get darker earlier and earlier. Some of my children will return home from school in the dark, making potential time to play outside in the evening harder and harder. However, we have found illuminating ways to transition to these earlier evening by bringing light to the darkness in our greater community. We’ve enjoyed the transition to shorter days in years past by having a special lantern walk celebration through Tinkergarten. We invited the community together for a free lantern walk, gathering at dusk for simple outdoor activities, traditional songs, and a walk with our lights through the woods. A couple of weeks before the lantern walk, we gathered with other families to make individual lanterns. Using a pint mason jar, we used tissue paper and watered down glue to decorate our lantern. We let that dry, tied a twine handle on, and
popped in a battery-operated tea light. By creating our own special lantern, we were preparing for and celebrating the changing of the seasons and light. These lanterns then lit our outdoor exploration time as it got darker. We’ve made lanterns in a few different ways. We typically use battery operated tea lights, though regular candles can be used as well. Here are a few ways to try: • Mason jar, tissue paper, watered down glue, twine • Snow balls formed into a dome • Ice lantern — tin cans of two sizes, rocks to weigh the smaller can down, nature sprigs, water, freeze! Release with a quick dip in water and insert light. • Tin cans punched with holes • Recycled materials — create your own! • Paper bag luminaries
Beyond our own lantern celebrations, there are a few evening walks in our greater community to enjoy the dark, ranging from a simple lantern walk to a gorgeous display of holiday lights. Embrace the dark through an illuminating evening walk or celebration!
Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights, various dates in December, Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Fee
Middlebury Tree Lighting, December 4th, 6:30-8:00, Memorial Park, Free
Tinkergarten Lantern Walk, December 12th, Dusk, Free, sign up at Tinkergarten.com
Illuminated Hike, Dec. 14th, 5:30-7:30 pm, Bonneyville Mill Park, Feedlot Shelter, Free
Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and hosts the podcast Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with her four explorers in the greater Michiana area. 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | DECEMBER 2021
