Trips

Join your fellow ILR members and friends for the annual Holiday Gathering. We will meet at Hoss's in Grove City and order from the menu (pay on your own). As per tradition, participants are invited to bring desserts to share. Hope to see you there!

Participants: Min 20, Max 40

Enjoy a stroll through the orchard, visit the animals, pick up fall gifts at the gift shop, munch on delectable treats from the bakery, and buy apples and cider. The terrain in the orchard is rough and may be wet. Not appropriate for walkers or wheelchairs. There is paving in all other areas on the property but not in the orchard. Bring money for the bakery and the gift shop.

Participants: Min 3, Max 12

This will be a course on art and the various methods that artists used to make their pieces. Here, at Blackwood, there are examples of all the techniques that artists used. That includes original etchings by Rembrandt, original Sumi Ink paintings by Toko Shinoda, wonderful wood block prints by noted Japanese artists, original stone lithographs, oil paintings, and watercolors. I will lecture, display some of the artwork, and demonstrate how mezzotints are made. I will also take the group through the various rooms to show them the art and describe each piece. I can let each student look at them and show them how to distinguish each technique used. I would like to limit the attendance to 20 (or less) for a better instructor-attendees interaction and a more dynamic question-answer session. Carpooling would be ideal for parking reasons. Access to the buildings and restrooms is difficult for wheelchairs but easy for walkers.

Participants: Max 20

We are going to do a 2.5 mile, very flat loop at Grove City Park, also known as the “Poop Loop” because not only does it loop around the soccer field, but it also meanders around the Grove City’s municipal infrastructure. You can pick your mileage based on the number of loops you can do. There are restrooms along the loop. We are going to Grove City Dinner or Pizza Hut after the ride, and all are welcome to join us for lunch.

Participants: Min 3, Max 20

The National Aviary is the largest indoor aviary in the USA and home to hundreds of birds. You will see a variety of birds from around the world in indoor habitats. Many of these birds are rare and the aviary participates in breeding programs for some of them (African penguins). The trip will include a guided tour and being part of the daily show featuring the aviary bird stars. 

One hour + to Aviary, timing depends on availability of tour, need time for parking also.

Fees: $19.00 payable at the registration

Participants: Min 15

The Buhl Mansion is a historic home located in Sharon, Pennsylvania, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion was built in 1891  by Frank H. Buhl who owned the Sharon Iron Works. The ashlar sandstone residence has 2.5 stories. Noted Youngstown architect Charles Henry Owsley designed it in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The mansion features round arches, steep gable wall dormers, an inset porch with heavy arches, stone finials, and several turrets with copper capped spires. It currently operates as a bed and breakfast and wedding venue. Frank Buhl married Julia Forker, daughter of a prominent Sharon family and the house was his wedding gift for Julia. They became known for using their fortune to support the surrounding community. The Buhl's are responsible for the founding of the Christian H. Buhl hospital (now the Sharon Regional Hospital), the F.H. Buhl Club which featured music and social rooms, bowling alleys, billiard and games rooms, and a library.

Participants: Min 6

PennOhio Clay Guild (POCG) invites you to explore creativity in a relaxed, 6-week clay experience course. Participants will learn the stages of clay, the forming and firing process, and essential hand-building techniques. Focus is on hand-building as each week builds confidence and skill through guided demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice. By the end of the course, you’ll have created a number of unique finished pieces, enjoying both the satisfaction of making and the camaraderie of a welcoming studio community. Additional open studio hours are included in this course for those wanting an enhanced experience. More about POCG at https://www.pennohioclayguild.org/ or call (724)201-1989. Each participant is required to pay a contribution to the studio to keep the lights on and materials costs covered. Fees: $120.00/person, payable to POCG.

Participants: Min 3

Come for a technical tour of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania company founded in 1971. Coherent Corp. (formerly II-VI Incorporated) is an American manufacturer of optical materials, AI parts, crystal growth, and semiconductor components. The company has R&D, manufacturing, sales, service and distribution facilities in 130 worldwide locations. Coherent Corp. is a prospering company whose stock price has more than tripled in the last year and the company was recently added to S & P Five Hundred. Coherent Corp. is a secure facility that deals with US military components thus no foreign nationals nor photography equipment will be permitted during the facility tour. In advance, all registrants must provide their name, email address and phone number for review. Upon arrival at the facility, guests' identity will be confirmed.

Participants: Min 5, Max 16

Pickleball can help to keep you healthy, active, and connected. However, one injury can take it all away! Michael Holmstrup, SRU Exercise Science professor and author of the book FITTER Pickleball, will conduct a class that will focus on several basic movement patterns that participants can independently perform to improve both their normal activities of daily living and their pickleball performance. The class will take place in Patterson Hall, room 225, on the SRU campus and will include hands-on instruction in performing selected exercises from his program. Each participant will receive notes on how to put together a basic exercise program for pickleball. Copies of the book FITTER Pickleball, including access to a wonderful video series, will be available for an ILR special discounted rate after the class. Initiating a FITTER Pickleball workout will help you to get stronger, play longer, and keep showing up for the community that fuels you! We would LOVE to see you there!

Participants: Min 4, Max 20

This is Part II of the Golf Class. Experience firsthand one of the jewels available in Buhl Park. A nine-hole golf course (The Only Free Golf Course in America) complete with driving range and pro shop. You will tour the pro shop, learn of all the services it offers, as well as experience golfing on a simulator and putting on the indoor high-tech putting surface. In addition, you are invited to hit a bucket of balls to warm-up to play America's only free golf course. The entire experience is free; trip size is limited to 15, and preference will be given to those who participate in the Part I, Golf-talk class conducted at Fowler.

Participants will meet at the golf course at 1PM and return by 4:00 PM.

Participants: Min 10, Max 15

Gene's Lionel train layout is housed in a building that was constructed in the year 2000 and measures 56' x 24'. Two five-man teams built the 30' x 17' layout working one day a week for two years. The trains operate on five different levels with the capability of nine running simultaneously. All trains are O-gauge scale and all buildings, people and accessories are to scale. Trains can be viewed traversing mountain scenes, residential and county locations. Guests will see Lionel engines and rolling stock on display that have been collected over 74 years. A guest book shows visitors from as far away as Ukraine, Columbia and many USA states. Rest rooms are not available. Easy facility access.

Participants: Min 6, Max 16

Step into the holiday magic of the Alex Crawford Hoyt Period House, where the 1917 Tudor Revival estate becomes a glittering winter wonderland. Twelve rooms feature more than 20 decorated trees and thousands of lights, all woven among the museum's collection of art and antiques. Take a tour to experience the seasonal splendor, architectural brilliance, and local history. There is a $10.00/person admission fee, payable at gate.

Participants: Min 6, Max 24

In preparing for an ever-changing life, imagine residing in a community where every day is filled with meaning and opportunity; where living an abundant life is made possible by nurturing your mind, body and spirit; where you can live life to the fullest today, and have peace of mind about tomorrow. Whether you’re looking for residential living or require additional care, Passavant’s supportive environment is designed to nurture the whole person – mind, body, and spirit - in every stage of life. Trip participants will meet at 105 Burgess Drive, Zelienople, PA, for a brief presentation, followed by brunch and campus tour. Parking is available at the front and back of the building.

Participants: Min 5, Max 25

The Macoskey Center is a 70-acre sustainability education, demonstration, and research center at Slippery Rock University. The center was founded in 1990 by Dr. Robert A. Macoskey and the ALTER Project. The tour will be guided by Samantha Bortz, Director of The Macoskey Center for Sustainability Education & Research. It will showcase renewable energy systems, gardens, homestead areas, and a new accessible trail and boardwalk! Be aware of uneven, rocky terrain, narrow sidewalks, and doorways.

Participants: Min 6, Max 25

We will be touring the lowest level of the Grove City Historical Society and Museum to see the metalware collection. Skip Sample will orient us to the metalware exhibit. We will visit the newly opened Arthur Armour exhibit. Mr. Armour was a metalsmith. The Coal Mining exhibit is outfitted with a virtual reality option. Any available time may be spent on other exhibits. The basement level is accessed by stairs and a chairlift. The walking surface is somewhat irregular.

Arrive at 111 College Avenue at 12:30. 

Participants: Min 4, Max 12