Izaak Walton clubhouse providing fun events for kids
It was a beautiful Saturday for Izaak Walton’s National Hunting and Fishing Day activities at River Road clubhouse last weekend. Unfortunately, only a few people took part.
Kids got to fish in the morning. After lunch, they moved on to try their hands at archery and shooting.
My 8-year-old son tried a couple shots with a .20-gauge. He missed the target, but that wasn’t the important part. He had the opportunity to try and got some excellent coaching by an Izaak Walton member.
Anybody who would like to get their kids outdoors should mark their calendars for the fourth Saturday in September next year.
In Izaak Walton news, turkey shoots start at 1 p.m. Sunday at the club grounds and continue every Sunday through Dec. 9. The group is planning a fish fry and gun raffle to take place Oct. 13. Raffle tickets are $10 each, and the fish fry starts at 5:30 p.m. To buy tickets, contact a member.
The local group has received two national awards — an attendance award and the Defenders Chapter Achievement Award. Member Bill Riley said the Defenders award is given for meeting five of eight established criteria in such areas as education, conservation and membership. The chapter has received the award in five of the last six years.
Historic bridge
Hancock County’s Marion TR 241 bridge is to be featured at a 7 p.m. program Tuesday in the lodge at Riverbend Recreation Area.
In 2008, the old iron bridge is to be relocated and a new wooden covered bridge placed at the site. Both aspects of preserving the old bridge and construction the new one are to be discussed by nationally recognized speakers coming to Findlay.
David Simmons, president of the Ohio Historic Bridge Association, is to give insights into the history of bridges in the settlement of Ohio and Hancock County. OHBA is assisting the park district with preservation plans for the Marion TR 241 bridge over the Blanchard River, which serves as a major access around the Findlay reservoirs. Simmons also is with the Ohio Historical Society.
Nationally known covered bridge engineer John Smolen plans to show plans for the new covered bridge to replace the old iron bridge. Retired as the Ashtabula County engineer, he has preserved and built many covered bridges. Smolen now serves as a consultant nationwide and is chief engineer on Hancock County project, which is funded in part by the Ohio Department of Transportation. A model of the bridge can be viewed at the Lodge.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The lodge is on Marion TR 208 in the Riverbend Recreation Area. The event is free and open to the public.
Oktoberfest
The third annual Oktoberfest is set to take place noon-5 p.m. Oct. 7 at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve. Sponsored by the Seneca County Park District, the family event features German food, wagon rides around the preserve, a German band, a wildlife display by Mona Rutger from Back to the Wild and a silent auction. Garlo park is on SR 19 two miles south of Bloomville.
Solar tour
Renewable energy-powered and energy efficient homes and buildings in northwest Ohio are scheduled to be open for public tours Oct. 6 during the annual Ohio Solar Tour. Organized by the clean energy advocate Green Energy Ohio, the tour encompasses sustainable features beyond solar energy, highlighting hundreds of solar, wind, biomass, green design and energy-saving technologies in every corner of the state. The tours are free and open to the public. For more details on the northwest Ohio tour, visit www.greenenergyohio.org.
Trapper permit lottery
The Findlay Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife office is planning a one-time drawing at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 for trapping rights in the wildlife refuge at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area.
Participation is limited to adults age 18 and older. The chosen trapper may designate an assistant and the division encourages adults to choose a youth as an assistant.
By 6 p.m., participants should be at Killdeer Plains Check station, CH 115, 1 1/2 miles south of SR 294 in Wyandot County. They must be registered before 6:30 p.m. and must show a valid 2006 or 2007 Ohio furtaker permit.
For more information, call (419) 424-5000.
Park programs
Preschoolers ages 3-5 can experience an autumn adventure 4:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Steyer Nature Preserve during a Seneca County Park District program.
At 7 p.m. Oct. 9, children ages 6-12 are invited to an evening hike at Forrest Nature Preserve.
Registration is required by calling (419) 435-3915 or e-mailing scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
The Hancock Park District and the Disc Golf Community Association are hosting a nighttime disc golf tournament Saturday for beginners through advanced players. The Mid-Fall Disc Golf Tournament starts at 4 p.m. in Shelter 4 at Riverbend Recreation Area. Prizes are to be awarded to first and second places in each division, as well as closest to the pin, the longest putt and the closest to the center of the flyway. The second round is after dark beginning at 8 p.m. Onsite registration is 3-3:45 p.m. with a $15 entry fee. Register today and get $5 off by calling Dennis Hills at (419) 523-5423, dhills@wcoil.com.
Hancock PARK DISTRICT also is planning an Autumn Adventure on the Blanchard canoe float 4 p.m. Oct. 6. Canoes are leaving from the Riverside Park boathouse and . Space is limited to the number of available canoes. Register by Wednesday with a $10 fee per canoe.
For more information or to register for Hancock Park District programs, visit www.HancockParks.com or call (419) 425-PARK.
Fall turkey season
Ohio’s fall wild turkey hunting season runs Oct. 13-28 this year. The 16-day season is followed by the fall archery-only wild turkey season, which opens Oct. 29 and ends Nov. 25. Thirty-seven counties are open for fall turkey hunting, but Seneca and surrounding counties are not included.
The wild turkey flock is estimated at more than 180,000 birds. For a map of counties available for turkey season and this year’s regulations, visit ohiodnr.com.
State seedling sale
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry is accepting orders for more than 40 varieties of seedlings for delivery next spring. The seedlings, available in groups of 100, are one to three years old and bare rooted. A minimum order of 100 seedlings is required.
The Division of Forestry sells more than 2 million trees each year to Ohio landowners for use in reforestation, wildlife habitat development, erosion control, windbreaks and other conservation projects. Seedlings are grown at the Marietta State Tree Nursery. More than 40 varieties are available, including white pine, white oak, red oak, black walnut and bald cypress. Early ordering is recommended since some species, such as bur oak and sycamore, are in short supply and sell out quickly.
For availability of various tree species and prices, call (877) 691-8733 or visit ohiodnr.com.
Stewardship award
Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski have announced the creation of a new recognition program to honor companies and organizations committed to environmental compliance and demonstrate outstanding achievements in reducing pollution. Nominations for the Governor’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Stewardship are being accepted through Nov. 15.
Applicants should show a commitment to environmental stewardship through a track record of environmental compliance and a commitment to go above and beyond regulations to improve environmental performance; a mature Environmental Management System and integration of the EMS into core business functions; aggressive environmental performance goals; and a process for communicating with the local community about program activities and progress toward performance goals.
The program is open to any business, industry, trade association, professional organization or local government in Ohio. Applicants may nominate their own organizations. Nominations by second parties are also welcome. Instructions are available at www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/stewardship.html, by e-mailing p2mail@epa.state.oh.us or calling (800) 329-7518 or (614) 644-3469.
Today’s reminders:
* Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, OSS Solid Waste District appliance and scrap metal collection, includes appliances containing Freon, includes Bellevue and Fostoria residents, Ag Service Center, 3140 S. SR 100, registration not required, (888) 850-7224, www.recycleoss.org.
* Saturday, 2-5 p.m., “Can You Survive?” Track and Trail for Teens program, ages 12-17, White Star Park Beach, Gibsonburg, Seneca and Sandusky county park districts, (419) 435-3915, scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
* Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., “Leaves,” toddlers ages 12-36 months, Tiffin University Nature Preserve, Seneca County Park District.
* Wednesday, 5-8 p.m., Tree Huggers Fall Festival, children ages 6-12, White Star Park Barn, Gibsonburg, Seneca and Sandusky county park districts, (419) 435-3915, scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
