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Heritage Interpretive

ProgramsThrough Songs, Stories and

Educational Characterswith Cleveland Metroparks

Historical Interpreter/Naturalist Foster Brown

Scheduling a Program•Available Monday – Friday,

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. •Evening and weekend

presentations are offered by special arrangement.

•All programs listed are currently free of charge to groups in Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township.

To book a presentation, arrangements should be made at least two months prior to the program date. Call 440-786-8530 to reserve a program.

Please have the following information ready when you call:

•Program of choice•Dates/times your group would like to schedule•Length of program desired (all programs are 30 – 60 minutes

in length)•Group name, address, phone number and contact person•Indicate whether group will need a sound system

We request a minimum of 8 people per group

Things to remember on the day of your program

•Please call if you are unable to keep your scheduled program

•Dress appropriately for outdoor programs•Historical Interpreter/Naturalist typically needs at least 10

minutes for set-up before presentation

Program Offerings•Programs are offered which support Ohio’s State Proficiency

outcomes•Programs can be conducted at your group’s location or at a

Cleveland Metroparks facility•Programs listed can be altered to meet individual group’s

needs•Special programs can be arranged on a specific topic if

adequate time is allowed in advance•If educational characters are not suitable, each program can

be offered in an instructive format without theatrics

Digger Gallagher the CanalerThis living history presentation brings to life the Canal Era through song, story and audience involvement. Digger actively teaches listeners about the daily life of the canalers, from digging the ditch, to working on the canal boat. Digger will artfully take you on a journey into Ohio’s past when, “People were Starving in the Land of Plenty.” (Grade 3 – adult)

Doctor WildweedThis character depicts the life of an old-time herbalist. Through fiddle playing, storytelling and audience participation, Dr. Wildweed emphasizes that “Every plant has a purpose, and every plant has a story.” Using familiar wild plants, He “treats” common illnesses with herbs and humor, and reveals the uniqueness of the plant world. (All ages)

Professor Horatio HabitatThis wacky professor shares the importance of a healthy wildlife habitat through humor, song and audience participation. The four ingredients that ensure a stable habitat are explained and conservation efforts are depicted through a PowerPoint presentation. Learn about wildlife species that have been successfully brought back from population decline.(Grade 4 – adult)

Programs with Foster Brown

Serge the VoyageurJoin Serge in reliving the days of the early Fur Trade Era. You will learn French Canadian songs, enjoy fiddle tunes and hear wilderness stories that made the lives of these “Men of the Great Lakes” so hard, yet rewarding. People of all ages will enjoy this audience-active program.(Grade 3 – adult)

Steely Stan the Iron ManMaking steel requires natural resources from all across the nation. Steely Stan explains the process of making steel and shares the journey the raw ingredients of iron ore, coal, and limestone take to make steel. Steely Stan will sing and involve the audience in explaining this amazing industry. (Grade 3 – adult)

The Quarry ManBack in the mid to late 1800s sandstone quarries were plentiful throughout northeast Ohio and provided many jobs for immigrants. “The Quarry Man” tells the story of the daily grind the “Men of Grit” had to endure and the impact they made not only in Ohio, but throughout the world. This program is filled with music, stories and educational fun.(Grade 4 – adult)

Willie of the WillowsThis wetland wise character brings the outdoors to you. Willie’s favorite saying is: “Sit quietly, look quietly and listen quietly.” He teaches the value of wetlands and the importance they hold in this present day. Willie draws listeners in with songs accompanied by banjo, along with stories and audience participation.(Grades K- 4)

Music and Storytelling Programs

Buckeye Legends and TalesThis presentation uses the age-old art of storytelling to embody the life of the early Ohioans. Through tall tales, true stories, folk songs and Native American legends, we capture the past and learn from it.(All ages)

Children’s Nature SongsThis delightful program quickly captures the children’s attention with creative songs about animals, plants, rocks and sky. Each song conveys valuable information through memorable lyrics and hand motions.(Grades K – 5 and families)

Folk StringsThis presentation explores the life of the pioneers and early settlers who journeyed westward through the wilderness to settle Ohio. Through songs using various folk instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and Appalachian dulcimer) we will explore their lives. A brief history of the instruments makes this particular program a fun, yet educational experience for all.(Grades K – 5 and families)

Legacy of the LandCleveland Metroparks has 16 reservations that make up the famous Emerald Necklace. This program will take the audience on a singing tour of many of the reservations to unveil amazing and important stories of the Greater Cleveland area.(Families and adults)

Inspired Songs that Tell the StoryThis program is based upon the CD and book Ohio and Erie Canal: Inspired Songs that Tell the Story produced by Foster and Estelle Brown. It is a singing tribute to the Ohio & Erie Canal with ample opportunities for singing along.(Families and adults)

Towns Along the CanalThis singing and storytelling presentation reveals the uniqueness of the towns along the Ohio & Erie Canal. Towns like Canal Fulton, Peninsula, Bolivar, Navarre and Zoar will be highlighted and celebrated. (Families and adults)

Singing Ohio HistoryThrough the timeless traditions of folk music, history comes alive with traditional and original songs that capture the essence of the past. Everyone helps sing songs about eras featuring the pioneers, canal, Great Lakes seafarers, farming, Underground Railroad, Civil War, railroad and the industrial revolution.(All ages)

Hikes

Habitat and History HikesThis hike can be scheduled at any Cleveland Metroparks reservation. These one hour hikes will focus on the local flora, fauna and history of the nature area we choose. (All ages)

Canal History HikeWithin Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation lie remnants of the old Ohio Canal. We will take a hike to the towpath and share stories, songs and information about this once - dynamic mode of transportation. A quick side hike to the Cuyahoga River will make this program well worth your time. This hike is 1 1/2 miles.(All ages)

Voyageur Canoe PaddleVoyageur Canoe Paddle program is a living history presentation where participants actually paddle a 34-foot canoe on Hinckley Lake in Hinckley or Wallace Lake in Berea. This hour-long adventure on the water gives everyone a taste of what the old-time Voyageur did for a living. Each trip tells the tales and tragedies of these hard working people who transported furs on the Great Lakes during the Fur Trade Era. This program is $5 per person. Canoe holds 18 participants. Life jackets and paddles are provided.

Public Voyageur Canoe programs are offered many weekends, June through October. To schedule a mid-week presentation for your group, please call 440-786-8530.

About the Presenter

Foster Brown has been a historical interpreter/naturalist with Cleveland Metroparks since 1996. Foster has produced several award-winning children’s music albums revealing the joys of nature, and songs and stories of Cleveland Metroparks and the Ohio and Erie Canal days in early Ohio. Foster’s recordings are available at Cleveland Metroparks EarthWords Nature Shops at CanalWay Visitor Center, North Chagrin Nature Center, Rocky River Nature Center, and the West Creek Watershed Leadership Center, as well as available on line.

Cleveland Metroparks is Cleveland's "Emerald Necklace," an open space of natural beauty and diversity. The Park District is dedicated to conservation, education and recreation. It offers an array of facilities and opportunities from picnicking, golfing and fishing to water and winter recreation areas, wildlife areas, and outdoor education and recreation programs.

Cleveland Metroparks was established on July 23, 1917 to provide open space for the people of Greater Cleveland, as well as to conserve and preserve the natural valleys of the area. Today, Cleveland Metroparks consists of over 21,000 acres of land in 16 reservations, over 100 miles of parkways, and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Cleveland Metroparks events are featured in the Emerald Necklace. This free monthly publication is available to residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township in Medina County. (There is an annual $10 subscription fee for others.) To be placed on the mailing list, send your name and address to the address below.

Cleveland Metroparks does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in employment, services or access to programs or activities. Special assistance for Cleveland Metroparks programs or facilities is available by calling 216-635-3264 in advance.

In case of accident or emergency, call Ranger Headquarters 440-333-4911.

Administrative Offices4101 Fulton Parkway Cleveland, Ohio 44144-1923216-635-3200FAX 216-635-3286www.clevelandmetroparks.com

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