Old appliances and other scrap metal can be recycled 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. And next Saturday is the computer and TV collection.
Both collections are sponsored by Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Sold Waste District.
Seneca County residents can take their old appliances and scrap metal to the Agriculture Service Center, 3140 S. SR 100. Items to be accepted include washing machines, dryers, ovens, stoves, hot water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, dehumidifiers, furnaces, air conditioners, water fountains and similar items. Other items made of steel such as grills, lawn mowers and propane tanks also will be accepted.
Televisions, computers and electronics cannot be accepted this week.
In addition to metal, the collection is taking printer cartridges and tennis shoes.They should be kept separate from one another and dry.Shoes are to be recycled by Nike Inc. into such products as running tracks, playground surfaces and subflooring for hard courts.
OSS is collecting computer-related items and televisions 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 3.
The collection is open to residents of Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties, including all residents of Bellevue and Fostoria.
In Seneca County, take items to the Agriculture Service Center, 3140 S. SR 100. In Sandusky County, take them to the health department parking lot, 2000 Countryside Drive, Fremont.
Items to be accepted include CPUs, monitors, keyboards and mice, terminals, modems and drivers, electronics such as DVD and VCR players, and cell phones and equipment.
Not accepted at the collection are computers from businesses, software or packaging such as plastic wrap, Styrofoam "peanuts" and cardboard.
Anyone who can't participate in the collection can take items to a local Goodwill store at any time throughout the year. The address of the Tiffin store is 186 S. Washington St. Or call (419) 447-5231.
TVs also are accepted at this collection, but fees are charged. Fees are $2 for TVs 24 inches and smaller; $5 for TVs 25-32 inches; $10 for screens 33 inches and larger; and $15 for all console units and projection TVs. To determine the size of a television, measure the screen diagonally from corner to corner.
Computers and related equipment are to be recycled through the Reconnect program, an electronicsrecycling partnership between Dell and Goodwill Industries.Televisions are to be processed by Regency Technologies, a certified Ohio electronics recycler. Electronics are to be processed in the U.S. and all plastics,metals and leaded and non-leaded glass materials are to be recycled.Only wood from the console and projection screentelevisions are to be placed in landfills.
For more information on either of the collections, call (888) 850-7224 or visit www.recycleoss.org.
Schekelhoff trail
A new handicapped-accessible trail at Schekelhoff Nature Preserve is to be dedicated and opened to the public during a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
Improvements to the park along the Sandusky River were made possible by an Access to Recreation grant from the Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich. The project is one of five in Seneca County to be funded by the $419,000 grant. When added to $327,000 in local matching funds, the projects total $746,000.
In addition to Schekelhoff park, projects to make recreational facilities more accessible to the handicapped include an observation deck overlooking Rock Creek at Hedges-Boyer Park, a paved trail and shelter at the Seneca County Park District's Zimmerman Nature Preserve on SR 18, paved trails and other improvements to Opportunity Park at the Seneca County Opportunity Center and a paved trail and shelter at Tiffin University Nature Preserve on Miami Street just outside the city limits.
The parking lot at Schekelhoff park is just off North Water Street adjacent to the city's Water Pollution Control Center. The parking lot is small, but cars can overflow along the road outside the park entrance for the dedication.
To make a donation or for more information on helping complete the local matching funds goal, contact Andy Felter at (419) 447-8232 or Suzanne Donaldson at (419) 448-1791. Checks can be mailed to Tiffin Charitable Foundation, 68 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH 44883.
Oktober Fest
This year's Oktober Fest celebration at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve is noon-5 p.m. Oct. 4.
In its fifth year, the fundraiser for the Seneca County Park District features German food and music, wagon tours of the park, a farm market and other activities.
On the menu this year are bratwurst, leberkase (fried veal), hot dogs, potato salad (not hot), sauerkraut, rotkohl (red cabbage), assorted desserts and beverages.
Dinners are $6 each or $2 for children. Carryouts are available.
Visitors also can enjoy kettle corn and homemade ice cream, buy local produce at a farm market, learn about American Indian drumming, see a rock display, or see a Back to the Wild wildlife display.
Garlo preserve is at 6777 SR 19, 1.7 miles south of Bloomville.
Harvest Fest
The second annual Harvest Fest and Farmers Market is set for 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Miller Conservation Farm.
The Enchanted Trails Candy Hike opens at 11 a.m. with groups leaving every 20 minutes until the candy is gone. Families are encouraged to use a treasure map to find tokens hidden in woods. At the end of the hike, tokens may be redeemed for treats.
Visitors also may buy locally grown food and handmade items at the farmers market, take part in a fishing derby noon-4 p.m., listen to a performance by New Riegel High School's Jacket Company swing choir, make pine cone bird feeders, see antique tractors and take a hayride and try archery.
Admission to the day's activities is free, but pony rides and several other means of fundraising are to be ongoing. Proceeds go toward construction of buildings at Miller Farm.
Hot sandwiches and campfire chili are to be available for a fee for lunch, provided by Thompson Ruritan. Friends of Miller Farm volunteers are providing homemade pies, brownies, pumpkin and lemon bars for sale.
Miller Farm is nine miles northeast of Tiffin. From Tiffin, take SR 101 and turn right (east) on CR 38. Turn left (north) on TR 169 and then right (east) on TR 138. Look for signs on the right (south) side of the road.
For more information, call (419) 447-7073.
EarthShare Ohio
Black Swamp Conservancy, a northwest Ohio land trust, has become a member of EarthShare Ohio.
The conservancy is a non-profit land conservation organization whose mission is to protect and preserve natural and agricultural lands in northwest Ohio for the benefit of future generations. It has permanently protected nearly 8,100 acres of family farms, wetlands, meadows, shoreline lands and woods since its founding in 1993.
EarthShare Ohio conducts workplace giving campaigns with employers around the state to benefit conservation organizations.
As an associate participating organization, the conservancy is to receive funds specifically designated to it by employees who choose to participate in the EarthShare Ohio giving campaign at their place of employment.
The conservancy holds 65 land conservation agreements in 12 counties and owns nature preserves in Paulding County and on the Lake Erie Islands. The conservancy is a member of the national Land Trust Alliance and the Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts.Additional information about the conservancy can be found atwww.blackswamp.org.
Park programs
A "Yoyo Pumpkin" family program is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve. In this Seneca County Park District program, participants can learn the art of yoyo quilting by creating a pumpkin. Take along one or two yards of orange material, scissors and thread.
Tree Huggers ages 6-12 can celebrate at a fall festival 4:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at White Star Park barn, Gibsonburg.
Children can join naturalists in carving pumpkins, making applesauce and learning about the struggles of migratory animals. They can enjoy a meal around a campfire. Take along a snack to share.Drinks are provided. The program is co-sponsored with the Sandusky County Park District.
Preschoolers ages 3-5 with an adult companion can paint gourds and learn about their life cycle during a program 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Garlo preserve.
To register for Seneca County Park District programs, call Linda Rose at (419) 435-3915 or e-mail scpd_programs@yahoo.
com.
Hancock County
The Hancock Park District is hosting a leaf collection hike for students, scouts and others who are doing leaf collection projects 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at Riverbend Recreation Area shelter 3.Participants are to collect and identify leaves common to the area, as well as learn about pressing and preserving leaf collections.
Children younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.Participants should take along a one-gallon Zip-lock bag, a roll of masking tape, a ballpoint pen and a small notebook.Optional items include a hand lens and tree identification book.
There is no cost, but registration is due Monday by calling (419) 425-PARK.
A fall canoe float is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday on the Blanchard River. Certified canoe instructor Stacie Roby plans to demonstrate a few basic paddling strokes before heading out. On the water, she plans to guide the search for turtles, birds and other wildlife.
Registration is due by Monday in the park office with payment of $10 per person. At least one adult per canoe is recommended. No experience is necessary.
Disc golf enthusiasts are invited to play at night during a fall tournament, starting at 4 p.m. Oct. 3 at Riverbend Recreation Area shelter 3. Players may join in two rounds, with prizes being awarded in each division. Prizes are to be awarded for closest to the pin and longest putt. The second round is to be played after dark, beginning at 8 p.m. Lights are to be attached to the holes and the discs, adding a new dimension to the game. Disc lights should be purchased in advance. Take along food and drinks.
Onsite registration starts at 2:30 p.m., with a $20 entry fee. A tournament meeting is at 3:30p.m. To register in advance, contact Dennis Hills at (419) 523-5423 or dhills@wcoil.com.
The annual Pioneer Tyke Hike for children ages 3-6 with an adult companion is planned for Oct. 5 at Litzenberg Memorial Woods off of US 224 west of Findlay.Sessions are at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., leaving from the gatehouse near the parking lot.
The events include many hands-on activities, including pressing apples to make apple cider, grinding corn to make corn meal and visiting the McKinnis House where the participants meet a living history interpreter portraying local folk of the 1840s. Cost is 50 cents payable at the site, but advanced registration is required.
Sandusky County
A "Yoyo Quilting" program is set for 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at White Star Park Log Cabin. Participants should take along one to two yards of orange material, scissors and thread. They can learn the technique of yoyo quilting and create a pumpkin.
Fall bird banding is planned for 8 a.m. Oct 10 and Oct. 17 at Creek Bend Farm bird banding station.
Sandusky County Park District's photo contest deadline is Oct. 15. Entries must be turned in to the park office or to Dumminger Photography. Entries are to be displayed 3-7 p.m. Oct. 16 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Multipurpose Room of Fremont Community Recreation Complex, St. Joseph Sreet, Fremont.
For contest rules and description of the five nature and outdoor categories, call (419) 334-4495 or visit www.sanduskycountyparks.com.
To register for Sandusky County programs, e-mail jeanne@sandusky
countyparks.com, or call (419) 334-4495 or (888) 200-5577.
Reminders
* Saturday, archery deer season opens.
* Saturday, 1 p.m., September Stroll, Forrest Nature Preserve, Seneca County Park District, (419) 435-3915, scpd_
* Saturday, 5-8 p.m., fish fry, Sandusky River Coon Hunters, TR 131.
* Sunday, noon registration, 1 p.m. run, equestrian parking lot, Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, Seneca County Park District and Tiffin University Equestrian Team, SR 19, south of Bloomville.
* Wednesday, 7 p.m., Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton action pistol/bowling pin shoot, Don Hunter, (419) 937-2066, orpa@bright.net.
* Thursday, 5 p.m., Young Adventurers leaf identification program, Tiffin University Nature Preserve, Seneca County Park District, (419) 435-3915, scpd_programs@
yahoo.com.
* Thursday, 6 p.m., Seneca County chapter of Ducks Unlimited fundraising banquet, Mohawk Golf Club, $50, (419) 447-9002 or mail check to Ducks Unlimited, 25 Willow Court, Tiffin, OH 44883.
* Oct. 8, rainbow trout to be released by ODNR at Fostoria's
Lake Lamberjack (Reservoir 3).
* Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m., Seneca County Pheasants Forever meeting, Sandusky River Coon Hunters lodge, TR 131, (419) 937-2264.
* Oct. 7, 7 p.m, Seneca Muzzleloaders meeting, Sandusky River Coon Hunters lodge, (419) 447-2656.
* Oct. 8, 7 p.m., Tiffin Park and Recreation meeting, 51 E. Market St., (419) 448-5408.
* Oct. 9-11, Seneca Muzzleloaders Fall Rendezvous, Sandusky River Coon Hunters Club grounds, (419) 447-2656.
Vicki Johnson reports on outdoors and agriculture news for The A-T. Contact her at outdoors@
advertiser-tribune.com.
