AroUn D TOwN Judaism m aces (East Lecture Series with (kc!66 - 1 Nan * - w September 8th ■ 7:30 p.m. Jewish Community Center D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building 6600 West Maple Road ■ West Bloomfield What I Learned From Buddhism That Could Help Save Judaism Rabbi Alan Lew was ordained at Jewish Theological Serhinary and is the Rabbi at Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco. $5 JCC or Temple Israel Members $8 Non-Members Tickets may be purchased at both West Bloomfield and Oak Park locations of the JCC and at Temple Israel. For more information, please call the JCC at (248) 661-7649 or Temple Israel at (248) 661-5725. Sponsored by: Temple Israel, The Jewish Community Center & The Detroit Jewish News 8/28 1998 80 Detroit Jewish News Doing What Comes \aturally Diane Baldwin AppleTree Staff Writer chairs, but our children enjoyed walk- ing on their own and choosing which direction to take at each crossroad. ou don't have to travel to the Along the way there are benches for UP to get "back to nature" resting and interpretive signs to aid in because I have found a great learning, along with a path equipped family spot for enthusiasts. with a cable for blind visitors. Picnic Located in Waterford, and tucked tables are near the main building, but away behind a subdivision, the Dray- visitors are welcome to eat ton Plains Nature Center on the trails as long as they (DPNC) is a well-kept secret clean up. of Oakland County. The Interpretive Center is The DPNC sits on land great for children who like originally used by the to touch. They'll find bones, 1 Michigan DNR as a fish snake skins, turtle shells, hatchery (circa 1904). A feathers, animal skeletons, group of citizens purchased guess boxes filled with sur- the land and 55 adjoining Dian e Baldwin prises and more. Several Ap pleTree acres. The DPNC opened animal mounts are hanging Sta ff Writer in 1967 and is a privately on the walls and a 135-gal- owned, nonprofit center. Its lon tank is stocked with — what ponds are still used by the DNR to else?— Michigan fish. There also are rear walleye and other fish for the life-size dioramas which display spec- lake and stream restocking program. imens in their natural habitat. The former fish hatchery building is The Interpretive Center is open now the Interpretive Center, which daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The also houses a small gift shop and outside trails are open to foot traffic restrooms. only (no motorized vehicles or bicy- The complex is about 137 acres, cles) from 8 a.m until dusk, every day perfect for a few hours of family quiet of the year. Pets on leashes are per- time. We discovered that it was small : miffed. A site map with trail informa- I enough so that we could easily find tion is posted outside- and hand-held I our way through the trails (and maps are available in the Interpretive explore more than one in a day), but Center. Be sure to bring along cam- I big enough to meander for a few eras and binoculars. hours without crossing the same path The DPNC is at 2125 Denby Drive Nvice. Even though the center is in a in Waterford. The Interpretive Center, city, so to speak, it was so quiet we the trails and parking are all free. To could easily chat and hear the birds inquire about special events, season- chirping and the Clinton River run- al family programs or Interpretive ning. All paths branch out from the Center hours, call (248) 674-2119. main trail, located behind the Note: Pioneer Day, a fun-filled fami- entrance, and are easy to find. ly event, will be Sunday Sept. 20, Some paths were well-packed and from noon until 5 p.m. Children 10 wide enough for strollers or wheel- and under get in free. Visitors who ; bring this article will receive 50 cents Diane Baldwin is a mother and off the nominal event fee. ri7 freelance writer in Clarkston, Mich.