Farm museum's enlarged gift shop open for shopping

Carroll County Farm Museum's newly enlarged gift shop in the Mearing Barn will be open extended hours for holiday shopping.

The shop offers farm museum memorabilia, crafts and household items created by museum artisans, stuffed animals and toys, decorations and candy.

Hours during the holiday tour will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Extended hours after the tour ends will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Dec. 17-20.

The Farm Museum is at 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Information: 410-848-7775.

Bear Branch presents environmental programs

Bear Branch Nature Center offers informative environmental programs for all ages.

Nature Stories and Crafts for ages 2-6 will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 17 and Dec. 19. A story and craft will be featured. Cost is $1 for members and $2 for nonmembers.

Nature Nuts for ages 6 to 9 will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Dec. 19. Children should wear clothes they can get dirty and wet. Topics will include forest ecology, the Chesapeake Bay and birds of prey. Cost is $5 for members and $8 for others.

Children's Winter Solstice Night Hike for ages 6 to 10 years will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20. A naturalist will lead children with handmade lanterns around the woods. Snacks will be provided. The cost is $2 for members and $3 for nonmembers.

Children's Holiday Craft Workshop for ages 5 to 13 years will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 21. Children can make gifts for their loved ones and wrap them in handmade paper while listening to holiday music and having a snack. The cost is $5 for members and $8 for nonmembers.

Registration is required for programs. The center is at 300 John Owings Road, Westminster. Information: 410-848-2517.

Winter fitness classes scheduled by YMCA

The Carroll County Family YMCA will hold winter fitness classes Jan. 6 to Feb. 22 at locations around the county.

The YMCA also has FitLinxx, an electronic personal training system to help members follow recommended exercise programs and measure progress and training.

Available classes at the YMCA in Westminster are: Reebok Cycle, Cardio Sculpt, Straight Step, Muscle Conditioning, Dance It Off, Aqua Fit, Swim Fit, and Kids Can Dance It Off Too. These classes are free to members.

Also available is YMCA Get Real Weight Management, a realist approach to nutrition; and YMCA Healthy Back, a medically sound, easy-to-follow program that helps participants understand the causes of back pain.

Fees for nonmembers are: twice weekly, $68; three times weekly, $77. Yoga and Pilates are also offered.

YMCA classes at Savage Dance Company in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area are: Dance it Off, Muscle Conditioning and Pilates. 410-848-3660, Ext. 310.

Yoga classes: Beginning and Advance Hatha Yoga Monday mornings at Tami Gee's Studio of Dance. 410-848-3660, Ext. 228.

Karate classes: Shorinjiryu Karate is offered at the Carroll County Family YMCA for Peewees (ages 5-7) and Parents, and ages 8 and older, both at 8 a.m. Saturdays. 410-848-3660, Ext. 228 for class fees.

Swimming classes: A wide variety of class times and skill levels are available. The first 100 participants to register will receive a free YMCA water bottle. Member registration is underway and nonmember registration begins Dec. 16 at 9:30 a.m. 410-848-3660, Ext. 233.

Lifeguarding: A lifeguarding certification course with the required prerequisites begins Feb. 8. 410-848-3660, Ext. 233.

Seniors: The YMCA offers a variety of classes for older adults. Seniorcize, Twinges in the Hinges, Senior Circuit Training, and Senior Fun & Fitness Hour, are some classes available. 410-848-3660, Ext. 228.