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Norma Johnson Center Events






Upcoming Events

2010 Events and Programming


2010 - The Norma Johnson Center is excited to offer lots of events throughout the winter and spring. Download our event schedule and place it on your fridge. More events will be posted for the summer of 2010. We hope to see you soon!

Click on the LINK below to view details

2010 Programming
2010 Summer Program Descriptions

2010 Newsletters


July 2010 - Enjoy our updated newsletter. T-shirt orders are being taken now. 2010 Memberships are still available if interested.

2010 February Newsletter
July 2010 Newsletter

2010 Picnic By the Pond


Summer 2010 - As the day winds down enjoy a picnic with your family at the Norma Johnson Center. Community members are encouraged to bring their picnic around 6:00 and meet at the picnic shelter on Conservation Drive. After dinner, the NJC staff will offer program.
  • June 26, 2010: Dipping for Tadpoles
  • July 24, 2010: Family Movie Night: Movie to be announced.
  • August 14, 2010: Family Game Night
  • September 18, 2010: Fall Night Hike; At dusk go into the woods of the NJC and experience night life at its best. NJC staff will lead a group through the woods and give participants a glimpse into NJC night life.


NJC Fall Fest


Saturday, October 9, 2010 - Bring the kids to the NJC Fall Fest for a family fun event for everyone. It is a great time to enjoy all the sights, sounds and scents that fall has to offer. Activities will take place at the picnic shelter on Conservation Drive. If it is raining we will be in the back of the yellow pole barn on State Route 39. Activities will include: Pumpkin Painting, Scarecrow Making, Various crafts to make setup along the trails, Fall Hike (weather depending), Literacy at the Wetland, and a Fall Scavenger Hunt (weather depending). The butterfly house is back. Participants will be given a chance to sponsor a butterfly for $5.00 and send it on its way to Mexico for the winter. Join us for a wonderful day at the NJC!

NJC Santa's Workshop


November 20, 2010 - The Norma Johnson Center will be offering a Santa’s Workshop on November 20, 2010 at the Brandywine Center to the first 24 participants to register. The cost of the program will be $TBA for each child participating. Children must be six years old or older to attend. The workshop will run from 9 to 3 with participants signing up for a three hour time slot either morning or afternoon. Children may be accompanied by an adult or dropped off for the assigned time frame. Five gifts will be made by the child with the help of Santa’s helpers. The following items will be made: TBA. This workshop is offered by the Norma Johnson Center and OSU Extension. For questions please contact Marsha Zoller at 330.339.7976. Registration fee, contact number and child’s name must be received by November 15, 2010. Registrations and checks can be sent to Norma Johnson Center, Santa’s Workshop 277 B Canal Avenue SE New Philadelphia, OH 44663.

NJC Celebrate the Season


December 19, 2009 - Join us in the red barn for our Celebrate the Season event from 1 to 5. The barn will be decorated with twinkling lights and Christmas spirit. Even Santa Claus will make a visit. Storytelling, hikes and crafts will fill this afternoon with fun filled family activities. A petting farm will be located in the bottom of the barn so don't forget your camera. Hot chocolate and cookies will take the chill off as you wander from each activity.

Past Events

2010 NJC Membership


October 2009 to September 2010 - The Norma Johnson Center memberships for 2010 are now available. Memberships can be sent to: Norma Johnson Center PO Box 256 277 B Canal Avenue, SE New Philadelphia, OH 44663

Membership Levels

  • Student: $10.00
  • Individual: $20.00
  • Family: $40.00
  • Corporate: $150.00
  • Oak: $250.00
  • Cherry: $500.00
  • Walnut: $1,000.00


    • Plant Sale for 2010


    April 5, 2010 - The Norma Johnson Center is hosting a Spring Plant Sale. We will be offering 10" Hanging baskets and flats of flowers for $15.00 each. 4" potted herbs will also be available for $3.50 each. Check out our flyer for more information. All plants come from Stutzman's Lawn and Landscaping in New Philadelphia. Orders will be taken until May 7, 2010.

    Plant Sale Flyer

    NJC Saturday Workshop Series


    Winter 2010 - Open to ages 12 through adult RSVP a must!
  • Beginner's Painting Class January 16, 2010 1 to 4pm $15.00/participant:
    • Learn some basic painting techniques while making your own project to take home. Our guest instructor Joanne Kramer will teach you several basic brush techniques to get you started. Beverage and a snack included.
  • Love is in the Air! February 13, 2010 1 to 4pm $15.00/participant:
    • Join our guest Barbara Lyons as she shows you how to create your own soaps, body scrubs, perfumes and other scented delights for bath and body. Beverage and a snack included.
  • Garlic Mustard Cooking Class March 27, 2010 1 to 4pm $15.00/participant:
    • Join us at the center as for a garlic mustard pull. After we wage war on this invasive plant we'll learn to put it to good use in the kitchen. Sample several tasty treats and get a cookbook to take home. Beverage and a snack included.
  • April Showers Bring May Flowers April 17, 2010 1 to 4 pm $55.00/barrel:
    • Make your own rain barrel. Interested in conserving water from your roof tops? Rain barrels have become very popular to individuals who want to preserve rain water to use in gardens or flower beds around the house. The Norma Johnson Center will be holding a workshop showing participants how to build their own rain barrel. A power point presentation about rain barrel use, maintenance and construction will be given. The rain barrels consist of a food grade 55 gallon barrel, overflow, spigot for water release and top entry hole to accommodate the water from the spouting.
  • Medicinal Plants May 29, 2010 1 to 4pm $15.00/participant:
    • Learn about local medicinal plants and make jewelweed soap to take home. Jewelweed is good for fighting itchy bug bites and poison ivy rash. Beverage and a snack included.

    Essay Contest


    Deadline March 3, 2010 - The Norma Johnson Center is hosting an essay contest open to individuals in grades 3-5. The top three winners in each category will be acknowledged at the NJC Annual Silent Auction and Recognition Program on March 25, 2010. The following question should be addressed in the essay: What should be the Norma Johnson Center mascot and why? All entries must be marked or received by March 3, 2010.

    Click on the LINK below download the contest rules and regulations for more information about the contest.

    Essay Winners announced2n

    >1st Place James Metzger, 5th grade School: Indian Hills Christian School Teacher: Mrs. Atsterowicz

    2nd Place Ashley Shrock, 5th grade School: Garaway, Ragersville Elementary Teacher: Mrs. Jacobs 3rd Place Kayla Hines,3rd grade School: Dover East Elementary



    2010 Essay Guidelines

    Annual Meeting and Silent Auction


    Reservations due March 19, 2010 - The Norma Johnson Center will be having an Annual Meeting and Silent Auction on March 25, 2010 at St. Johns Church in Dover. The Silent Auction will start at 5:00 and dinner will be served at 6:00. Come support the NJC and help us honor our 2009 Golden Oak Recipient Ray Miller and our essay contest winners. Dinner will be Ham, Green beans, scalloped potatoes, applesauce, rolls, dessert and a drink. Dinners will be $12.50/person. Please send your RSVP and check to Norma Johnson Center 277 B Canal Avenue, SE New Philadelphia, OH 44663 no later than March 17, 2010.

    Click on the LINK below to view details

    Annual Silent Auction and Recognition Program

    Woodcock Walk


    March 13, 2010 - Norma Johnson Center is hosting “Woodcock Walk” on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 7:00PM. Participants will meet at the picnic shelter by the red barn on Conservation Drive. Dan Kramer, Division of Wildlife will be our guide and expert on hand to familiarize participants with the American Woodcock. The woodcock is one of the most frequently encountered birds in the forest at night. This shorebird that takes up residence in the forest is heavily camouflaged while it hunts for earthworms living in the floor of the forest. If we are lucky we will also hear the calls of area owls living in the area.

    Eagle Watch


    April 10, 2010 - Join Dan Kramer as he explains the life and habitat of an eagle. Program will begin 9:00 at the Brandywine Center located down from the NJC on Old SR 39. We will then travel to a local nest and observe from a distance till noon. Registration is needed call the office 330.339.7976 to reserve your spot.

    Earth Day Clean Up


    April 17, 2010 - Meet at the yellow pole barn off of SR 39 at 9 AM. We welcome you to help clean up the NJC from the long winter. To celebrate Earth Day participants will be asked to help pick up litter at the NJC. We will finish around noon.

    Rain Barrel Workshop


    April 17, 2010 - Make Your Own Rain Barrel at the Norma Johnson Center and Make a Difference Did you know that in the summer you use about 40% of your household water in your yard! By using a rain barrel during the peak of the summer you could save approximately 1,300 gallons of water. So come do your part to help save the earth on Saturday August 15, 2009 from 1-3. You will be able to make your very own rain barrel at The Norma Johnson Center. We will be making the barrels at the Yellow Pole Barn (3 miles west of I-77 Dover Exit 83 on SR 39). You must register by April 10, 2009 call 330.339.7976 and ask for Marsha. We only have a limited amount of barrels and spaces available. It only cost $55.00 to make your own rain barrel. Register today and don’t delay so come make your own rain barrel and make a difference.

    Migratory Bird Day Hike


    May 8, 2010 - Bring your binoculars and a guide if you have one. We will be meeting at the picnic shelter on Conservation Drive at 8:30 AM and heading into the woods to see the birds living or visiting the NJC.

    2010 Chicken Barbecue


    Saturday, May 15, 2010 - This fundraiser benefits the Norma Johnson Center Mission and Restroom Project. Dinners will go on sale at 11:00am and will sell until we are sold out. The chicken dinner includes a chicken half, potato salad, baked beans, bread, and a beverage. All dinners are $8.00. The barbeque will be held at the Brandywine Center located down the road from the NJC on Old State Route 39.

    Bluebird and Tree Swallow Banding


    May 29, 2010 - For the last several years we have been keeping track of our bluebird boxes and inhabitants. This year we will be banning the young located in our boxes with the help of Dan Kramer from ODNR. Join us for this exciting experience from 9-12. Meet at the Picnic Shelter on Conservation Drive.

    Traveling Butterfly House


    July 19 - 25, 2010 - Have you ever wanted to stand in a place with butterflies fluttering around you? Explore the lifecycle of butterflies? Feed a butterfly? All this can happen when you come to the NJC the week of July 20th. Working with "All a Flutter" owner Fran LeMaster participants can enter a butterfly house and experience the world of butterflies. The exhibit will be open from 10-5 Monday through Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday. Join us for this truly amazing event.

    Join us for a chicken BBQ starting at 11:00 until sold out. Meal will consist of chicken half, applesauce, chips, drink and cookie for dessert. Price will be $8.00/meal.

    Activities on Saturday of Butterfly Exhibit

    Free butterfly crafts will be availabe all day. Interacting with Nature Monarch Madness: Field Trip at the NJC to look for monarch catepillars will be at 10, 1 and 3. $3.00 fee for class. Paint your own butterfly garden stone for $5.00. We will have the stone already set and it will just need some color added.

    Join us in the evening for NJC second annual movie night. The red barn will be our movie theater and popcorn will be served. All you need is comfy chairs or a blanket.




The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) prohibit discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital status or family status.