ACTIVITIES
ELKHART — Head outdoors on a first day hike through Boot Lake Nature Preserve, 51430 County Road 3 on Jan. 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Bring the entire family. There is no fee for this hike.
GOSHEN — Make a New Year’s resolution to get outdoors more. The Elkhart County Parks will offer a Jan. 1 hike exploring River Preserve. Watch for native birds as you take a 3-mile hike along the wetlands, woodlands, canals and open fields. Meet at Benton Shelter in River Preserve County Park, 68587 County Road 31, by 7:45 a.m. The group will head out at 8 a.m. and return at 10 a.m. Hiking boots and weather-ready layers are suggested. There is no cost for this hike, and it is geared toward those 8 years of age or older.
CLASSES
SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “Wandering vs Exploring” from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 30 in the Care Partner Academy. Patty Piechocki, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care, will lead this live/interactive web session. Participants can connect through their computer. Register online at https://alzni.org/caregivers/caregiving/.
SOUTH BEND — RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will be closed Dec. 23 through Jan. 1.
• Jan. 2: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 3 p.m. Zumba.
SUPPORT GROUPS
ELKHART — The Elkhart Epilepsy Support Group has moved to the Elkhart Health and Aquatic Center’s Library, 200 E. Jackson Blvd. Take the door entrance to the right of the building and the library is the first door on the right. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. More information can be found on Facebook at Elkhart Epilepsy Support Group or e-mail mmmrobinson07@gmail.com. January’s meeting will be held Jan. 2.
BLOOD DRIVES
The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org:
• Plymouth Fire Department, 111 N. Center St., Plymouth, noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 27.
• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 27.
• Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, Syracuse, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27.
• Woodlawn Hospital, 1400 E. Ninth St., Rochester, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 27.
• LaPorte County Library, 904 Indiana Ave., LaPorte, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST Dec. 31.
• Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City, 4300 Cleveland Ave., Michigan City, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST Dec. 31.
• Town of Shipshewana, 345 Morton St., Shipshewana, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31.
• American Legion Post 400, 302 Lakeside Drive, Walkerton, 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 2.
• Knights of Columbus, 901 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2.
South Bend Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at donorportal.givebloodnow.com:
• Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Ireland Road Donor Center, 1290 E. Ireland Road, Ste. 700, South Bend, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.
• Rolling Prairie Lions Club, 1 E. Michigan St., Rolling Prairie, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST Dec. 28.
• Memorial Hospital, 615 N. Michigan St., South Bend, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 30.
• Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St., Bristol, 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 31.
• Doyle Community Center, 310 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, 3 to 6 p.m. Jan. 2.
Versiti Blood Center of Michigan will hold the following drives. Register at donate.michigan.versiti.org:
• Celebration Cinema/Best Buy lobby, 1468 Cinema Way, Benton Harbor, noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 1.
• Brandywine High School Library, 1700 Bell Road, Niles, 2 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 2.
