Calendar

THIS WEEK

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NEW MANCHESTER HISTORY HIKE: 1-3 p.m. Saturday and March 27, Sweetwater Creek State Park, 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, Ga.; milelong historian-or ranger-led hike to the ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill, focusing on the history of Sweetwater Creek Valley; includes tour of mill ruins and seeing the whitewater rapids; $2-$3 plus $5 parking; (770) 732-5871

saturday mountain hike: 10 a.m. third Saturdays through Dec. 18; Panola Mountain State Park, 2600 Georgia Highway 155 S.W., Stockbridge; guided hikes depart from nature center; for people in good physical condition; bring sturdy shoes, water, bug spray, and a camera; hike lasts two to three hours; rain or shine; arrive 30 minutes before the program; register in advance; $7 plus $5 parking; (770) 389-7801

mountain top adventure hike: 2 p.m. second Sundays through Dec. 12; Panola Mountain State Park, 2600 Georgia Highway 155 S.W., Stockbridge; guided hikes depart from nature center; for people in good physical condition; bring sturdy shoes, water, bug spray and a camera; rain or shine; arrive 30 minutes early; register in advance; $7 plus $5 parking; (770) 389-7801

GEORGIA GEM, JEWELRY AND BEAD SHOW: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Georgia Building, 401 Laney Walker Parkway, Perry; held by AKS Gem Shows; $5 for the weekend; (504) 455-6101, aksshow.com

ASTRONOMY NIGHT AT UNICOI: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Georgia Highway 356, Helen; Atlanta Astronomy Club conducting a slide show and lecture to help novice star-gazers learn about the winter sky; weather permitting, telescopes will be set up for a sidewalk stargazing program; bring your own telescope, lawn chairs, blankets and flashlights with red bulbs; $5 parking; (800) 573-9659, ext. 305

UPCOMING

OUT4LIFE Georgia Re-entry conference: March 29-31; Embassy Suites -- Atlanta Airport, 4700 Southport Road, Atlanta; discussing strategies and solutions for successful ex-prisoner re-entry programs to reduce recidivism; out4life.com, out4life@pfm.org

PRO AM BENEFIT CLASSIC SADDLEBRED HORSE SHOW: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 1-3, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Reaves Arena, 401 Laney Walker Parkway, Perry; sponsored by American Saddlebred Horse Association of Georgia and United Professional Horseman's Association; American saddlebreds, hackney ponies and roadster horses exhibited; benefits Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia; free for spectators; Deidra Davis (478) 788-6866; www.proamhorseshow.com

NURTURING NATURE WALKS: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 1 and 22, 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, and Thursday, April 29, Reed Creek Park and Wetlands Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; outdoor walk for ages 3-5; children must be accompanied by an adult; members free, $2 per child for others, free for adults or for ages 2 and under; (706) 210-4027

POND EXPLORATION: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, Reed Creek Park and Wetlands Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; children explore and learn about what critters live in the pond; be prepared to get a little wet and muddy; for ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult; registration required; members free, $2 per child for others; (706) 210-4027

ALL ABOUT FROGS: 8:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays, April 9 and 23, Reed Creek Park and Wetlands Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; indoor and outdoor program to learn about local frogs and how we are studying them through a calling survey at Reed Creek; go outdoors to listen for frogs using the calling survey protocol; for ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult; registration required; free; (706) 210-4027

CREEK CLAY AND SWAMP MUCK: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, Reed Creek Wetlands Park and Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; get your hands muddy while exploring the different textures and types of soil in different habitats at the park; for ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult; registration required; members free, $2 per child for others; (706) 210-4027

INSECT INVESTIGATIONS: 5-6 p.m. Fridays, April 16 and 30, Reed Creek Wetlands Park and Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; learn about six-legged friends while catching and releasing insects with bug nets in different areas of the park; for ages 5 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult; registration required; members free, $2 per child for others; (706) 210-4027

TURTLES ARE TERRIFIC: 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 17, Reed Creek Wetlands Park and Interpretive Center, 3820 Park Lane, Martinez; see live turtles while learning about their natural history turtle enthusiast Jeff Miles; free; registration required; (706) 210-4027