Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Education Center will sponsor First Day Hikes on Jan. 1.

At Moraine, hikers will meet at McDanels Launch on the North Shore at 1:30 p.m. The hike, which will take place on the North Country Trail, will be two to three miles and be led by members of the Butler Outdoor Club.

At Jennings, hikers will meet in the prairie trails parking lot at 1 p.m. The hike will be two miles long on the Oakwoods trail and will be led by the center's staff.

The hikes are of moderate difficulty.

The programs at both parks are free and registration is not required. Hikers should dress for the weather and take snacks and water if desired.

BRADY TWP — Jennings Environmental Education Center will hold Winter Trails Day, a free introduction to winter sports, on Jan. 11.Two snowshoeing programs for those age 8 and older and two cross-country skiing programs for age 12 and older will be conducted during the day.A morning snowshoeing session from 10 a.m. to noon will be repeated in the afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. Each session will include an introduction to the sport and a winter activity hike. Snowshoe equipment will be provided, although personal equipment is welcome.Concurrently, a cross-country skiing session will be conducted from 10 a.m. to noon and repeated from 1 to 3 p.m. Equipment for these sessions will not be provided.Participants must take their own or rented cross-country ski equipment. Each session will include an introduction, basic instruction and guided skiing on the center's trails.Registration is required. Register either online at www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/calendar/list.asp or by calling the center at 724-794-6011 no later than Jan. 3 for each session that will be attended.

GROVE CITY — Grove City College has had its accreditation reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.The commission made its decision Nov. 21 on the strength of the College’s Periodic Review Report submitted earlier this year.The review process is an exhaustive, top-to-bottom examination of the college’s academic, administrative and admissions policies, financial well-being and student services, providing a realistic assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the institution.The review is a crucial step in the accreditation process that colleges and universities participate in to receive the Middle States’ seal of approval.The process for the college began in 2008 with a self-study evaluation and culminated in the submission of the report.Submit news for the Eagle’s Spotlight North pages to John Bojarski by calling call 724-282-8000, Ext. 254, or sending e-mail to jbojarski@ butlereagle.com.