Originally posted in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle by Leo Roth

Nov. 30, 2014

1. Hiking: The Finger Lakes Trail is a 950-mile-long footpath running from the New York-Pennsylvania border in Allegany State Park to the Catskills, along with various north-south branches. It’s built and maintained by volunteers who organize hikes, trail projects and social events. You can hike the trial in sections or end-to-end. Patches are awarded for those who hike end-to-end. Information can be obtained at the Finger Lakes Trail Conference Service Center, 6111 Visitor Center Road, Mount Morris. Call (585) 658-9320. Go to www.fingerlakestrail.org.

2. Ice skating: Bill Gray’s Regional Ice Plex, 2700 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road, located on the MCC Campus, offers multiple sessions of public skating during the winter months. There are also family days, teen nights, a Skate with Santa and a New Year’s Eve skate planned for the holidays. Cost is $7 for adults. Seniors, veterans and kids 12 and under are $4. Skate rental is $4. There are learn to skate programs and learn to play hockey programs, and many other activities at the four-rink complex that has received many updates. Call (585) 424-4625 or go to www.billgraysiceplex.com

3. Nature: The Montezuma Audubon Center, located on State Route 89 in Savannah, Wayne County, is looking for volunteers to help with day-to-day activities and special events. Jobs include animal care (various amphibians), office support, gardening, trail maintenance, educational programming, and help in the nature store. The center offers a year-round schedule of programs and festivals and is a premier destination for nature lovers located north of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (315) 365-3580. Go tony.audubon.org/montezuma.

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