State park hikes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Four state parks will take part in a national effort to get people outdoors and moving. On Jan. 1, "First Day Hike" hikes and walks will be offered at Kanawha State Forest and Blackwater Falls, Cacapon and Twin Falls state parks.

Last year, 120 people took part in the 3-mile hike in Kanawha State Forest. This year hikers will meet at 2 p.m. on New Year's Day at the swimming pool in Kanawha State Forest. Kanawha State Forest, 304-558-3500; kanawh...@wv.gov; www.kanawhastateforest.com.

Blackwater Falls State Park will begin at 10 a.m. at Sled Run parking lot. The walk to Lindy Point is described as "vigorous" and snowshoes may be needed if there's the usual snowfall accumulation. "The activity will be a three-hour adventure," according to the news release from the Department of Natural Resources. Blackwater Falls State Park: 304-259-5216, paulita.l.cou...@wv.gov; www.blackwaterfalls.com.

The two-hour hike in Twin Falls State Park, in Wyoming County, will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Nature Trail parking lot. Twin Falls State Park, 304-294-4000, twinfall...@wv.gov; www.twinfallsresort.com.

A hike of about 1.5 miles is planned for Cacapon Resort State Park in the Eastern Panhandle. Hikers will meet at 10 a.m. at the Cacapon Nature Center. Cacapon Resort State Park, 304-258-1022 ext. 5209 or Renee.M.Finc...@wv.gov; www.cacaponresort.com.

Participants in a First Day Hike should arrive at least 15 before the start time, and should bring water and wear layers of clothing and sturdy, warm hiking boots or shoes, as well as hats and gloves. Hikes will depart on time and return to the starting point. Additional information will be posted at www.wvstateparks.com, or contact the park direct for more information.

Dads and daughters deal

CAIRO, W.Va. -- The fourth annual "Little Princess Ball," an evening for dads and daughters, is scheduled for Jan. 5 at North Bend State Park.

"Little girls ages 5-12 and their fathers do have a ball at this event," said Ken Zebo, event coordinator at North Bend. The event includes a special dinner with dad, going to a dance and dressing up, game room and crafts.

There are two dinner seatings: 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. A craft and game room opens from 5 until 7 p.m. and features girl-themed crafts and games designed for appropriate ages. The two-hour dance begins at 7 p.m. The "ballroom" is decorated for princesses. During the dance there is an ice cream sundae bar. The dance DJ is Jack Horton, from 96.9 FM in Parkersburg, playing requests and music favorites.

The event package includes accommodations at North Bend Lodge, dinner, dance, arts and crafts, and a souvenir photo. Price is $115. Additional daughters attend for $40 each, and an additional adult is $40. The price includes taxes and gratuities. Reservations are required.

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.northbendsp.com or call 304-643-2931.

Old times at North Bend

CAIRO, W.Va. -- North Bend State Park will offer a weekend for "Remembering the Good Ole Days" Jan. 18-20. Old-time activities will include crafts, games, pie auction and a carnival. Outdoor winter sports will include sleigh riding (weather permitting), hikes and other family activities.

The weekend package is $138 per person based on double occupancy; single reservations are $163. The package includes two nights' lodging, five meals and registration fee for a craft, door prizes and all weekend activities. Lodging for children under age 12 is free.

To participate in Nature Wonder Weekend and to register, call 304-558-2754 or visit www.northbendsp.com and click events/deals to download a reservation form and to learn more about events and activities at North Bend State Park.

Stonewall ballroom dancing

WESTON, W.Va. -- Stonewall Resort will host a ballroom dancing weekend Jan. 25-27.

Instructors from WV Dance Inc. will hold several workshops. Two ballroom dances will take place.

The price is $349 per couple and includes instruction, dances, two nights' accommodations and breakfasts. For reservations, call 888-278-8150.

National math museum

NEW YORK -- The National Museum of Mathematics opened to the public Dec. 15 in Manhattan.

The museum is aimed at kids ages 8-13, and curators have given the place a playground feel.

The 40 exhibits include a "wall of fire" made up of laser lights that teaches kids about geometry and a square-wheeled tricycle that still manages to produce a smooth ride thanks to a wavy track.

The museum occupies the first two floors of an office tower across from Madison Square Park at 11 E. 26th St.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children. The museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Intrepid museum reopens

NEW YORK -- The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum reopened to visitors Dec. 21 for the first time since superstorm Sandy hit the region at the end of October.

The Intrepid is along the Hudson River at 46th Street. When the river rose during the storm, four to six feet of water swamped the museum's main electrical transformers and backup generators.

The space shuttle Enterprise, which has been housed at the Intrepid since June, was unharmed by the storm but the pavilion in which it is housed deflated. The shuttle exhibit will remain closed while repairs are made, but the shuttle is visible meanwhile from the Intrepid's flight deck and pier.

The Intrepid museum complex includes the 900-foot-long Intrepid aircraft carrier, which was commissioned in 1943 and served during World War II, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Also onsite are the guided missile submarine Growler and 27 aircraft including the British Airways Concorde.

Only a few major attractions in New York City are still closed because of damage from Sandy, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

The Intrepid is offering a buy one, get one free ticket promotion through Feb. 15 using coupons available from the museum's Facebook page and Twitter feed.