Taking a closer look at nature

Lauren Peterson, 6, gives her artwork a unique look by painting with a bergamot seed head under the watchful eye of Assistant Nature Center Manager Robin Grumm on Friday during a holiday shopping alternatives - decorating naturally event at Runge Nature Center.
Lauren Peterson, 6, gives her artwork a unique look by painting with a bergamot seed head under the watchful eye of Assistant Nature Center Manager Robin Grumm on Friday during a holiday shopping alternatives - decorating naturally event at Runge Nature Center.

Friday was not black for many families who enjoyed the Indian summer-type day interacting with nature in Jefferson City.

Spending no money at all, children, teens and adults all found fun activities at the Runge Nature Center's annual Shopping Alternative event, this year "Decorating Naturally."

Several people started outside, winding their own wreath made from native grapevine. Like all of the nature products made available at Friday's event, the grapevine was cut from plants on the Runge grounds and the neighboring Conservation Department land.