Newsletter of the Crawford Park District Spring 2020

Newsletter of the

Crawford Park District

Spring 2020

New Commissioner

The Crawford Park District has been going through changes in leadership of late. The most recent involves a Park

Commissioner seat. Peggy DeGray has faithfully served the CPD for 11 years, stepping up to fill the vacancy of the

late Jim Rhodebeck. Peggy was involved with the CPD prior to joining the board: she was previously on the

Advisory Board, assisted with large events, and was a desk volunteer on Sundays. Her involvement with the CPD

also led her sons to sign their kids up for Nature Camp. To that end, Peggy’s volunteerism, yet even greater, her

belief in the mission of the CPD, has led many more people to an awareness and appreciation of our environment.

When asked for some parting words Peggy said, “There were just so many wonderful things about the Parks that I

can’t pinpoint just one thing. However, when he was still with us, I really enjoyed walking the trails with my

husband.” Thank you for your dedication to the Crawford Park District, Peggy!

With this vacancy, Park volunteer and Advisory Board member, Dave Rowland has agreed to serve as our newest

Park Commissioner. Dave is no stranger to the area. He was born, raised, and currently resides in Crestline, OH.

After graduating from Crestline High School, Dave enlisted in the Navy. When he was honorably discharged from

the Navy, he started working for PPG Industries. After leaving PPG, he spent the next 23 years dedicated to working

at Galion AMCO. Dave also spent 16 years

working at Mansfield Screw Machine Shop.

He later retired from Galion LLC.

Dave says he has always been interested

in nature. Watching birds has been a passion

of his for over 55 years! Some other hobbies

that he enjoys are hunting, fishing, golfing,

and woodcarving. Dave has been working in

his woodshop for around 20 years. Together,

Dave and his wife have 5 adult children, 10

grandkids, and 3 great-grandkids. In

addition to spending time with his family, he

is also a member of the Lions Club of

Crestline. When asked what he was looking

forward to as the newest Park

Commissioner, Dave said, “The park system

has really grown, and I want to do my part. I

want to help as much as I can and to keep it

growing.” Welcome “a”board Dave!

PARK NEWS Hooked!

In October 2019, Jane Schnelker from Wildlife Haven approached the CPD about housing an injured Midland Painted Turtle that came into her care. Jane took the turtle to Galion Veterinary Hospital to have an X-ray taken. With the X-ray, they could clearly see a fishhook in the turtle’s throat. Dr. Parr and Jane wondered what to do. Was it lodged there? Should it be surgically removed? Could it make it to the turtle’s stomach where stomach acid could dissolve it? Not wanting to put extra risk or harm on the turtle, the first plan was to wait: wait to see how the turtle did in captivity; wait to see if the hook affected her ability to swim and eat; wait to see if the hook would move. A tank for the painted turtle was set up in the animal room at the Nature Center. She lived in the enclosure by herself. This was to prevent any possible diseases from getting transferred to or from our permeant residents and our temporary visitor. We assumed it was a female due to its large size, but it also had short front nails/claws, indicative of a female painted turtle. In her tank, she had rocks to climb on, a floating platform she could bask on, a filter to keep her water clean, and a basking light. She was also given small pieces of turtle food. Worms would have been a nice addition to her diet, but it would not be good if they got stuck on the hook when she swallowed them. Over the next few months she was acting normal and seemed in good health. The turtle swam around, basked on the log, but ate very little. She would quickly dive into the water when she was startled, creating a splash. After a few months, the time came to take her back to the vets for another X-ray. Not knowing what we would find but hoping for the best, she was loaded into a tote for the short ride to the vet hospital. They took her back into the examination room. Fingers crossed we would get the news we wanted to hear. A few minutes later they return. Great news! The hook was gone! We were glad she didn’t need to have surgery to remove the hook. So, what’s the next step for the turtle now that the hook is gone? The hope is, if approved by the Division of Wildlife Chief, that she will be taken back to where she was found and released there in the spring. The location will be inspected to make sure it is safe and the habitat suitable for her to return. If not, she will most likely become a permeant resident at the Nature Center where she will become a wildlife ambassador. Either outcome has valuable lessons for us to pass on to our visitors. We’re sure they will be amazed at the turtle with the “disappearing” fishhook.

Left photo has the stuck hook circled in red. Right photo shows the turtle post-

wait-and-see. Below, the turtle stretched her legs on a balmy winter day.

Where’s Abby? It is with great pleasure to announce a new member into the “nature-nerd” family. Naturalist Abby Ditomassi and husband Joe recently welcomed into this world their son, Vincenzo Anthony Ditomassi. Vinny was born on January 24th, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs, 6oz. Everything has been going well and Abby is spending some great quality time with her first-born. Naturalist Abby will be back in mid-April, in time for the spring field trip season. Congratulations Abby and Joe! And welcome Vincenzo Anthony!

PROGRAMS All programs are free of charge, unless otherwise noted. For more information or

questions about programs, call 419-683-9000, or visit www.crawfordparkdistrict.org

Homeschool in Nature: Hiding in Plain Sight Thursday, March 5 9:30am, 11am & 2pm Lowe-Volk Park This month we are going to take a hike in the woods, not to stop and “smell the roses”, but to stop and look for things that are hiding in plain sight! Classes are limited to 20 students per session. Please call the Park District to reserve a spot for your 5-12 year old by March 4. Arrowhead Day Saturday, March 7 10am-2pm Lowe-Volk Park

If you are into pre-historic artifacts, this event is for you! Come and see what other local collectors have found in the fields of Crawford County, as well as other areas. Come view their

displays and have your questions about unidentified items answered. There will also be raffle items, and all kids will get their own piece of flint to take home. Drag out that old cigar box and show off your artifacts! Movie in the Park Sunday, March 8 2pm Lowe-Volk Park Come out for “Movie in the Park”! We’ll provide the movie, popcorn, and additional activity. You are welcome to bring a pillow and blanket to sit on. Nature Story Time Monday, March 9, 16, 23, & 30 10:30am Lowe-Volk Park Young children and their adults, join Lisa for story time on Mondays! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week.

Wild Wednesday Wednesday, March 11 10am Lowe-Volk Park Come to the Nature Center and enjoy an hour of nature exploration! Program topics will vary and may include a story, short hike, craft, or a visit from an animal. For pre-schoolers and their parents. Come dressed for the weather. Bee Kind: Mason Bees Thursday, March 12 6pm Lowe-Volk Park

Mason Bees are some of the first pollinators to emerge in the spring. Joy Etter-Link will share insights into these little bees and their amazing life cycle. Participants will also take home their own Mason Bee kit to place around their own property. For children up to grade 5 accompanied by an adult.

Photography Exhibit Kickoff with Jan Maddy Saturday, March 14 12pm Lowe-Volk Park Come and meet this quarter’s featured photographer, Jan Maddy. Jan has cruised the world, snapping some of the most breathtaking natural history shots you’ll see. North, south, east, and west, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, Jan has seen it! Stop out and chat with Jan as she relives some of her most memorable and breath-taking experiences. Around the World Photography Exhibit with Jan Maddy Saturday, March 14-Thursday, April 9 Lowe-Volk Park Park Commissioner Jan Maddy has a plethora of photos from her journeys around the world. Come to the Nature Center during regular hours and you’ll feel as though you accompanied her. Jan’s breath-taking views are sure to awe and inspire.

March

PROGRAMS

Vernal Pool Exploration Sat., March 21 10am Heckert Nature Preserve Vernal Pools are a diverse habitat to explore. Join Josh for an investigation of the vernal pools at Heckert looking for bugs, frogs, and SALAMANDERS, of course! All ages welcome. Wear rubber boots. Berea Sandstone of Ohio Sunday, March 22 2pm Lowe-Volk Park In his newest book, “The Berea Sandstone Quarries of Ohio”, Ralph Pfingsten explores the rich history of the Berea Sandstone. This sandstone was used extensively prior to the advent of concrete, with quarry operations from Lake Erie to Columbus, including Lowe-Volk Park! More information regarding this book and Ralph’s program are found on page 11 . Come and learn about the sandstone quarrying industry and its impact on the world. Ohio’s Ancient Fossils Tuesday, March 31 6:30pm Lowe-Volk Park Thursday, April 2 6:30pm Lowe-Volk Park Retired Galion teacher Bryan Summer will present about Ohio’s prehistory, focusing on our fossil record. Around 500 million years ago, Ohio was an ancient shallow seabed with trilobites, squid, corals, and a variety of shelled animals. The Ohio Glacial Period that started 1.8 million years ago, exposed Ohio’s shale and limestone sediments containing these ancient fossils. Come learn about Ohio’s ancient fossils and discover places in Ohio where you

can go to collect them. This is not a program series; both dates will be the same program. Pick a date and come learn about Ohio’s prehistory!

Homeschool in Nature: Track the Tracks Thursday, April 2 9:30am, 11am & 2pm Lowe-Volk Park We are taking another stroll through the woods following clues left behind from animals that have passed by. Classes are limited to 20 students per session. Please call the Park District to reserve a spot for your 5-12 year old by April 1. Hi-Tech Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 5 1-3pm Lowe-Volk Park

Kids! Bring your smartphone, GPS unit, or borrow a GPS unit from us to use for a Hi-tech egg hunt. Follow the coordinates throughout the Park to discover a hidden egg. Inside each egg is a nature-based question that needs to be answered before moving on to the next egg. After the egg are

found and the questions are answered, kids will receive a small prize when complete. Come join the fun! Nature Story Time Monday, April 6, 13, 20, & 27 10:30am Lowe-Volk Park Young children and their adults, join Lisa for story time on Mondays! Listen to a different nature-themed book each week. Saving an Eagle Monday, April 6 6:30pm Lowe-Volk Park Co-host: Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club In a story of close calls, near-death, and a six-year investigation, P85 has an illustrious history. Come and learn about her fascinating story, as told by Jan Ferrell, the rescuer and rehabber that brought life to P85. Jan was one of the first volunteers at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary when it was named the Richland County Raptor Center. During her time at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Jan innovated and directed the OBS Jr. Naturalists, a group of 13-18 year-olds who

March/April

PROGRAMS

served their mother organization, learned leadership, and had a great deal of fun on many environmental field trips. She has spent most of her adult life teaching about the outdoors and to make sure that an animal truly needs human intervention. She considers the rescue of the eaglets to be one of the highlights of her life and hopes you will find the story of P85 to be as inspiring as she does. This program is co-hosted by the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club. Come and learn about P85 and enjoy light refreshments prior to the garden club’s business meeting. The Hobby of Rock Tumbling Tuesday, April 7, 14, 21, & 28 6:30pm Lowe-Volk Park Park volunteer Bryan Summer wants to share his passion for rock tumbling! This is a four-week class that will meet one day each week. You will learn about rock tumbling equipment and the process of tumbling rocks. We will start with rough stones and go through all four polishing stages to create beautifully polished rocks. Wild Wednesday Wednesday, April 8 10am Lowe-Volk Park Come to the Nature Center and enjoy an hour of nature exploration! Program topics will vary and may include a story, short hike, craft, or a visit from an animal. For pre-schoolers and their parents. Come dressed for the weather. Rock n’ Fossil Day Saturday, April 11 11am-2pm Lowe-Volk Park The Nature Center will be rockin’! Stop by to see various rock, mineral, and gem displays from local collectors and members of the Richland Lithic and Lapidary Society. View florescent minerals and cut a geode. Bring your rocks and gems for identification and prepare to have a rockin’ good time.

Spring Wildflowers Sunday, April 12 3pm Sears Woods Early spring brings with it an explosive growth within our woodlands. Spring blooming wildflowers must complete their life cycle before the trees leaf out and cut off the light necessary for photosynthesis. Meet Warren Uxley at the Sears Woods parking lot. April Showers Thursday, April 16 6pm Lowe-Volk Park “April showers bring May flowers!” Water is a key component to emerging spring wildflowers…and muddy puddles! Joy Etter-Link will help you explore rain, mud, and all things water. For children up to grade 5 accompanied by an adult. Wildflower Walk Friday, April 17 10am Heckert Nature Preserve The forests come to life in spring as the sun warms the forest floor, encouraging growth. Join Josh for a leisurely stroll on the trails of Heckert, seeking the emerging beauty of spring wildflowers. Uncorked Nature: What’s That Smell? Friday, April 17 6pm Fox Winery

When you smell a wine, you’re preparing your brain for the wine you’re about to taste. Our sense of smell has a profound effect on the way our brain processes flavor. Can your

nose identify the different smells from nature and wine? We will play a sorting game to find out! This program is for ages 21+!

April

PROGRAMS

Artifact Hunt Sat., April 18 10am Meet @ Lowe-Volk Park Join members of the Johnny Appleseed Chapter 19 of the Archaeological Society of Ohio to walk nearby farm fields looking for remnants of prehistoric cultures who inhabited Crawford County. Be the first human to touch an artifact since it was used thousands of years ago! Don’t miss this popular annual event. Bring the whole family, dress for the weather, and don’t forget your boots if the ground is wet. Walking sticks can also be helpful. Earth Day Fair Saturday, April 18 11am-2pm Lowe-Volk Park The Crawford Park District is partnering with many local organizations to host our annual Earth Day Fair. The focus of this event is not only to get people thinking about the 3 R’s — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — but also about sustainability, creating backyard habitat, and much more! There will be many “green” table displays and activities. The following displays and activities planned include: Recycle Trailer and display from Crawford County Solid Waste District, interactive “living stream” display from ODNR Scenic Rivers Program, Recycled Projects from Lisa Smith’s 4th Grade class (Colonel Crawford), Native Plant Sale, Recycled Nature Craft, Natural Pesticides display, and “mud play”. Wild Wednesday Wednesday, April 22 10am Lowe-Volk Park Come to the Nature Center and enjoy an hour of

nature exploration! Program topics will vary and may include a story, short hike, craft, or a visit from an animal. For pre-schoolers and their parents. Come dressed for the weather.

Infant Explorers: Water Saturday, April 25 1-3pm Lowe-Volk Park Your first instinct may be to bundle babies up and keep them indoors. However, research tells us that infants in outdoor spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience indoors. Join Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for a drop-in discovery style program that will engage your infant’s senses and get parents and baby out of the house for some fresh air. Activities will be set up from 1-3pm for your infants to enjoy at their own pace. The Pawpaw Sunday, April 26 3pm Wynford Schools The Pawpaw is a scrub or small tree that has a long and storied history with people. It has an even longer and more fascinating relationship with the wildlife that inhabit our woodlands. Meet Warren Uxley at the north end of the parking lot at Wynford Elementary School. ODNR K-9 Demonstration Thursday, April 30 6pm Lowe-Volk Park State Wildlife Officer Nathan Kaufmann and Canine May, are assigned to Huron County. They will be sharing a brief talk on the history of the Department of Natural Resources canine program, with an emphasis on the Division of Wildlife canine program. There will also be a demonstration on how Canine May works in the field.

April

Did you know… the last week in April is National

Sky Awareness week? Get outside and practice

nephelococcygia - the art of finding shapes in clouds!

PROGRAMS

Mason Jar Bouquet Thursday May 7 6pm Lowe-Volk Park

Come to the Nature Center and join Patti G. to make this glassy bouquet. While paint is drying on the jars, participants will go out and collect the beauty of nature they wish to display. While jars will be provided, participants can bring their own

clean jar. Space is limited to 20. Call the Nature Center to reserve your spot. Bird Banding Saturday, May 9 7am-1pm Lowe-Volk Park In conjunction with the Pancake Breakfast, we’ll be banding birds on the front porch of the Nature Center. Join Bob Placier, Josh, Lisa, and Abby for a morning of science! They’ll be monitoring mist nets to see which birds inhabit or pass through Lowe-Volk Park. Banding is used to track trends in bird populations, among other research applications. All ages welcome, and grab some pancakes in support of your Park District! Pancakes in the Park Saturday, May 9 8am-1pm Lowe-Volk Park

Come and support your Parks while satisfying your appetite. For a $5.00 donation, you can get pancakes topped with REAL maple syrup, a side of delicious ham, and a great morning enjoying and supporting your Park District!

Bird Walk Sunday, May 10 9am Sears Woods More migratory birds pass through Ohio in early May than at any other time of the year. This massive movement of Warblers, Tanagers, Vireos, and Thrushes (to name just a few) is truly spectacular. Meet Warren Uxley at the Sears Woods parking lot.

Feeding Day Sunday, May 17 2pm Lowe-Volk Park Will it be fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, shrimp, worms, or mice? Can you guess what’s on the menu for the animals in the Nature Center? Stop by to find out who eats what and take turns helping Lisa feed some of the animals! Infant Explorers: Flowers Saturday, May 23 1-3pm Lowe-Volk Park Your first instinct may be to bundle babies up and keep them indoors. However, research tells us that infants in outdoor spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience indoors. Join Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for a drop-in discovery style program that will engage your infant’s senses and get parents and baby out of the house for some fresh air. Activities will be set up from 1-3pm for your infants to enjoy at their own pace. Nature Hike Sunday, May 31 3pm Daughmer Savannah Many of the threatened plant species found at Daughmer are at their best in late spring. There is also an assemblage of colorful breeding birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. Meet Warren Uxley at the Daughmer parking lot. Living History Days Friday-Sunday June 5-7 Lowe-Volk Park Join the CPD and Colonel Crawford’s Company to step back into the 18th Century. Join us Friday night at 8pm for the Patriot Alliance Council. Saturday at 11:45am there will be a bus tour. A lantern tour will begin at 8pm on Saturday. Reenactments of the capture of Colonel Crawford will be on both Saturday and Sunday. Please visit our website for a complete schedule of events.

May

2019 Christmas Bird Count

Results Great Blue Heron 2

Canada Goose 115

Mallard 13

Bald Eagle 6

Sharp-shinned Hawk 3

Cooper’s Hawk 2

Red-tailed Hawk 12

American Kestrel 6

Wild Turkey 5

Ring-billed Gull 247

Herring Gull 174

Lesser Black-backed Gull 5

Rock Dove 20

Mourning Dove 17

Eastern Screech Owl 3

Great Horned Owl 1

Barred Owl 6

Red-headed Woodpecker 33

Red-bellied Woodpecker 24

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1

Downy Woodpecker 26

Hairy Woodpecker 10

Northern Flicker 24

Pileated Woodpecker 4

American Crow 54

Horned Lark 132

Carolina Chickadee 29

Black-capped Chickadee 10

Tufted Titmouse 20

White-breasted Nuthatch 34

Carolina Wren 14

Eastern Bluebird 14

American Robin 48

Northern Mockingbird 2

European Starling 574

Cedar Waxwing 253

Song Sparrow 32

Swamp Sparrow 3

White-throated Sparrow 10

Dark-eyed Junco 57

Brown-headed Cowbird 25

Northern Cardinal 48

Purple Finch 2

House Finch 32

American Goldfinch 28

House Sparrow 257

Eastern Phoebe 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

Bald Eagle Nest Reporting For the first time in eight years, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is attempting to find every Bald Eagle nest in the Buckeye State and is asking citizen scientists to report their sightings of the national bird. Citizen scientists can submit sightings at wildohio.gov/reportwildlife from Saturday, February 1st to Tuesday, March 31st, 2020. Watch for updates of verified nests throughout the coming months at wildohio.gov. As with many of Ohio’s native wildlife species, Bald Eagles require specific habitat conditions to thrive. Bald Eagle habitat protection and research is funded by the sale of Bald Eagle conservation license plates, income tax check-off donations to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund, and sales of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. Learn how to support Ohio's magnificent wildlife, like the Bald Eagle, at wildohio.gov/support. Crawford County has four know Bald Eagle nests, scattered across the landscape. If you know of a new nest location, after reporting it to the Division of Wildlife, contact the CPD office. We get many requests about nests, and by passing on their location, Crawford Countians can enjoy this magnificent bird without travelling out-of-county. Remember to not only respect 100-yard rule, but also property owner rights, as all known Crawford County Bald Eagle nests are located on private property. (Article taken and adapted from an ODNR news release.)

Crawford County Fairgrounds Tree Project One of our first projects after the Crawford Park District was formed was the establishment of the “Picnic Park” at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. To that end, the CPD has joined other individuals, businesses, and organizations to make the Fairgrounds a more pleasant location by planting a variety of shade trees. The goal is to plant a MINIMUM of one hundred shade trees around the Fairgrounds’ property focusing on the midway and barn areas. A variety of maple, oak, and poplar trees approximately 7’ to 9’ in height will be planted. The trees will be purchased locally, and planted and cared for by volunteers at an average cost of $165.00 each. This can be a great opportunity for you or your organization to make a difference in our community by means of helping in several different ways: donate any dollar amount towards the purchase of a tree, donate for one or more trees, assist in planting, and/or volunteer to maintain trees by assisting with watering. For the benefit of this generation and the next, please use the information below to make a charitable contribution. Make checks payable to: Projects Inc. In the memo line write: Crawford County Fairgrounds Tree Project Fund Send to: The Community Foundation of Crawford County

254 East Mansfield St. Bucyrus, OH 44820 For more information about the project, or to find out how you can help, call Doug Weisenour at 419-563-1448, or the Crawford SWCD at 419-562-8280.

Prescribed Fire Grant The CPD has received requests in recent years to assist with our prescribed fires. Having more members on a fireteam ensures a safe and effective prescribed burn. However, without proper personal protective equipment (“PPE”), it can be a dangerous proposition to have someone on the fireline. To accommodate the requests to participate, the CPD has received a grant from the Ohio Division of Forestry to purchase additional PPE. The

Prescribed Fire STEP Grant allows for cost-sharing to help prescribed fire programs succeed.

Recycling @ the Nature Center Here is what you can bring: #1 & #2 plas-tics, glass, paper products & cardboard, steel & aluminum cans, CFL bulbs, batter-ies, old eye glasses, cell phones, tablets, & laptops. NO OTHER ELECTRONICS, MONITORS, ETC. WILL BE ACCEPTED!

DROP-OFF DATES Saturday, March 14, 9am-Noon Saturday, April 11, 9am-Noon Saturday, May 9, 9am-Noon

Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District Be sure to check out Soil and Water’s website and Facebook page for more programs that landowners can utilize www.crawfordswcd.org

SWCD Fish and Tree Sale Order forms for both sales are available at the SWCD office, in their quarterly newsletter, or on their website. 2020 Spring Fingerling Fish Sale: Deadline for ordering is Thursday, April 23rd. Pick up is April 24th, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Crawford SWCD office, 3111 State Route 98, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. You need to bring suitable containers with heavy duty plastic liners (ex: five gallon bucket lined with a heavy duty trash bag) filled ½ full WITH YOUR OWN POND WATER to transport your fish. Ten gallons of water per 100 fish ordered is sufficient. If you ordered Amur’s, bring a separate container and plan only 2 Amur’s per five gallon container. 2020 Spring Tree Sale: Deadline for ordering is April 3rd, 2020, or until Sold Out. Seedlings will be available for pick up at the office April 15th, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm and April 16th from 7:30 am – 6:00 pm. We do not deliver or mail packets. We can only accept cash or check. Make checks payable to Crawford SWCD. For more information about the Fish and Tree Sale, call the Crawford SWCD office at 419-562-8280 ext. 3; or visit their office, located at: 3111 SR 98, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820.

CPD Book Club Do you love nature and also love to read? With the abundance of books available for nature lovers, sometimes it’s hard to choose the next great book to read. Join the Crawford Park District’s Book Club and we will figure it out together! Pre-registration is recommended as the club will be limited to 15 members. So come armed with your favorite book about nature or a nature centered book you want to read and be ready to make your case to the club! Book Club Meeting Dates: Mar. 31; Apr. 28; May 26 Book Club meetings take place at the Lowe-Volk Nature Center and start at 5:30pm.

The Berea Sandstone Quarries of Ohio The Quarries of Berea Sand-stone are found from Windsor in Ashtabula County to Berlin Heights in Erie County, from there to Columbus and many places in between. What made this stone so desirable and valuable? Explore the trip from some of Ohio’s quar-ries to some of the world’s most impressive structures. Author, Historian-Biologist Ralph Pfing-sten explores this nearly forgotten industry.

Ralph will be giving a presentation on the history of this most fascinating industry at Lowe-Volk Park on March 22nd at 2pm. Copies of his latest book can be purchased at the Lowe-Volk Nature Center Gift Shop. You can also purchase the book by visiting the website of the Northern Ohio Railway Museum, http://www.trainweb.org/norm/ ; or contact the author at 440-243-7568.

Meeting Dates & Times (4th & 5th Saturdays of each month; note start times; programs held regardless of sky conditions, so please dress for the weather. If the skies are rainy or cloudy, we will meet in the Nature Center.) March 28 8pm April 25 8:30pm May 23 9pm May 30 9pm

Targets for Spring: m-42—The Great Nebula of Orion is 1,344 light years away and is also estimated to be 24 light

years across. m-44—The Beehive cluster, also known as Praesepe, is in the constellation Cancer. It is about 577 light years away. m-1—The Crab Nebula is 6,523 light years away. This supernova remnant is located within the constellation of Taurus. m-45—Pleiades is an open cluster, also known as Seven Sisters. It is 444 light years away. m-31—The Andromeda Galaxy is 2.5 million light years away and is known for having double

stars and different colors.

Betelgeuse! Betelgeuse! Betelgeuse!

Betelgeuse (pronounced “Beetlejuice”) is a red supergiant star that is 642 light years away from Earth. It is the orange-red star found on the left side of the constellation Orion. It marks the right shoulder of the hunter. Betelgeuse is a huge variable star that is anywhere between 700-1000 times bigger than our sun! Due to its variable size, the brightness of the star also changes. It has dimmed to the lowest it has been in 40 years. Just a few months ago it was 2.5 times brighter than it is today. It has gone from being the 10th brightest star in the sky, to 24th. There is a possibility that Betelgeuse may supernova. To “supernova” means the core of the star will change, causing the star to collapse and explode. Join us to view this ever-changing beauty!

The Astronomy Club has received a few

telescopes that can’t be repaired. They will be

kept for spare parts. If you have a telescope

that isn’t working properly, bring it out to the

Viewing the Night Sky programs. If possible,

the Astronomy Club with help you fix it.

Cassiopea andromeda sounds like two constellations in the

sky; in this case, it’s the scientific name of a jellyfish! The

genus Cassiopea is a true jellyfish and is commonly called

the “upside down jellyfish”. Like their common name indi-

cates, they are found with their medusa or bells down and

their tentacles reaching up towards the surface! They

were named after the constellation Cassiopeia, which is

upside down for many months out of the year. These ani-

mals are found in shallow mangroves, mudflats, and other

warm coastal waters in Florida and the Caribbean.

This composite photo of the red supergiant star Betelgeuse

combines images captured by the Herschel Space Telescope

in wavelengths of 70, 100 and 160 microns. (Image credit:

ESA/Herschel/PACS/L. Decin et al)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdlpng.com%2Fpng%2F6073099&psig=AOvVaw2fDTi-X6X2wBfJxN6Ythn9&ust=1580846776309000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIiduKiXtucCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAm





FRIENDS MEMBERSHIPS

Kinglet (student/senior)

Candace Denning

Donna K Hamilton

Ken & Penny Jarvis

Maxine Keller

Scott & Janet Painter

Louise Ulmer

In Memory of Ed Speece

Cardinal (individual)

Arvel & Joy Bradford

Marge Carnahan

James Carpenter

Martha Cellini

Daryl & Susan Coffman

Phyllis Cole

Joe & Nancy Cozad

Kim Felkey

Martha Flohr

Elizabeth Gwertz

Shirley Hehr

Michael Schimpf

Susan Shields

In Memory of Gene Shields

Kathleen Slayton

Dorothy Strickler

Dr. Donald Wenner

Delores Jean Wise

Flock (family)

Dee & Sam Benedict

Jack & Arlene Bighouse

Harry & Debbie Bloomfield

In Memory of Noah Lear

Arvel & Joy Bradford

Aurelia Brombacher

Denny & Cindy Davis

Guy Denny

Robert & Lucille Dunn

Emerson Eckstein

Erlsten Family

In Memory of Sam Siclair

Ted & Jeanie Fike

Kathy & Bill Halter

Kyle & Anne Hartman

Suzanne Hawkins

Jean Hayes

Jeff & Becky Laipply

Robert & Jane Miller

Barry & Cathy Moneysmith

Larry & Linda Morrison

Art & Pat Rank

Eric & Amy Schieber

Donald & Judith Smith

Saundra Sobers

In Memory of Brad Sobers

Robert & Nancy Stauffer

Allen & Sandy Stuckey

Bur Oak Circle (supporting)

John & Geneva Clary

Roger & Sue Daniel

In Memory of

Edward & Agnes Cooke

Randy Fischer

Ryan & Katy Hoffman

Dale & Margaret Hoyles

Janie Miller

In Memory of Albert Miller

Mark & Pat Murphy

Charles & Jean Pratt

Dan Ritchey

Carolyn & Ron Sand

Steve & Sarah Shields

In Memory of Gene Shields

Randy & Pam Shull

Jim & Jeanne Thompson

Larry & Theresa Trase

In Memory of Lloyd Volk

John & Jackie Wingert

Rob & Jean Zaebst

Bald Eagle Club (sustaining)

Alan & Mary Anne Basinger

Richard Carpenter

Carter Machine Office Employees

For Juanita & Annie Carter

Jim & Ruth Ann Crabaugh

Grant & Patty Hope

Mike & Nancy Kolehmainen

Paul & Pam Louden

Jim & Helen Luidhardt

James & Janet Pry

Dave & Carol Rowland

Dave Sharrock

In Memory of Will “Bill” Sharrock

Bill & Marilyn Stepro

Judy Thiel

Robert & Pat Trout

In Memory of Dr. Michael Johnson

Tallgrass Prairie Club (sponsoring)

Peoples Savings & Loan Company

John Wagner

Sycamore Club (promoting)

Candace Jones

Pete & Susan Maynard

Patty & Robert Moorman

Other Donations:

Alan & Mary Anne Basinger

Lynn Faulds

Kroger Customers

Lions Club, Zone 5 (2 donations)

Thank you to the following who have donated to the Friends of the Crawford Park District:

November 5, 2019 through January 31, 2020

Liberty Mill

Link’s Country Meats

Bob Staley

VFW Post #8999

Walmart (2 donations)

Bird Seed Donations:

Maxine Keller

In Memory of Darl Keller

Martha Kozik

Memorial Donations:

David & Jackie Cochran

In Memory of Dr. Johnson

Sandra & James Mahek

In Memory of Katie Obrecht

MaryLee & Bill Minor

In Memory of Miriam L. Etzinger

Studer Family

In Memory of Charles Studer

In Memory of William Foulk:

Collinswood Condominium Assoc.

Frank & Margaret Fischer

Bill & Donna Fisher

Monday Night Euchre Gang

Steven & Mary Yaussy

In Memory of

Bruce Simmermacher:

Vicki & Stephen Carr

William DeGray

Joe & Gretchen Dzugan

Karey Gentile (Weaver)

The Mike Hauck Family

Michell Heyka

Steve & Mindy Lamontangne

Ed & Denise Moyer

Joe & Ruthann Noblet

Ron & Charla Spayde

#Giving Tuesday Many thanks for the donations to our endowment fund! We received $11,917.36 from our supporters…the highest ever raised! Coupled with the $1,713.53 from the Community Foundation, a grand total of $13,630.89 was contributed to our endowment. Thank you Park supporters and Community Foundation of Crawford County!

Giving Tuesday Donors

Anthony Lee Screen Printing, Inc.

Anonymous Donors

Dennis & Patricia Armstrong

Lisa Bogard

Marilyn Burkholder

Ken & Deb Cameron

Richard & Loyce Carpenter

Gary Cole

Peggy Degray

Gene & Patricia Disbennett

Gerry & Liz Dolan

Robert & Lucille Dunn

Josh Dyer & Amy Haffa

Earth, Wind & Flowers Garden Club

Emerson Eckstein

Steven Eckstein

Dan & Patricia Everly

Bill & Donna Fisher

Robert & Sue Fogle

Mike & Mandi Fruth

Steven & June Gebhardt

Dorie Gubernath

In Memory of Patrick Kiser

David & Karen Halsey

Margie Harter

Steven & Carolyn Helbert

The Hocker Family Trust

Douglas & Susan Horsley

Paulette James

Casey Kerr

Eric Kocher

Jack & Barbara Koschnick

Martha Kozik

Kathleen Lowe

James & Helen Luidhardt

Janet Maddy

Dr. Peter & Susan Maynard

Dr. Glen & Nancy McMurray

Bill & MaryLee Minor

John Mizick

James & Patricia Neff

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group

Penny Pumphrey

Lindall & Lisa Rachel

Carol Rhodebeck

Tamara Robinson

Dave & Carol Rowland

Ronald & Carolyn Sand

Dr. Joe & Sue Shadeed

James Slayton

Dorothy Strickler

Allen & Sandra Stuckey

Tim & Charlotte Toothman

Eugene & Faye Toy

Raymond & Wanda Trash

Bruce Truka

Louise Ulmer

Beverly Whaley

Dale & Joan Wolfe

What’s in a Name? Names of animals typically represent some trait associated with that animal. Let’s look at some bird names. Osprey derives from the Latin ossifraga, meaning “bone breaker”. Pileated, as in Pileated Woodpecker, means “capped”, referring to the bird’s red crest. Interestingly, it is not clear whether woodpecker itself refers to a “pecker of wood” or a “pecker in the woods”. Titmouse is a combination of “tit” of the Icelandic tittr for anything small and the Anglo-Saxon mase, “a small bird”. “Tit” is a contraction of titmouse. The generic name of these birds and chickadees, Parus is just Latin for “titmouse”. The name of the Black-capped Chickadee, Parus atricapillus, means in Latin “the titmouse with black hair on its head”. (Taken with permission from “The Birder’s Handbook”.)

Friends of the Crawford Park District 2401 State Route 598 Crestline, Ohio 44827 419-683-9000 Trustees: Kyle Hartman Joshua Dyer Martha Kozik Dan Everly Barb Koschnick Board of Park Commissioners: Jan Maddy Kyle Hartman Dave Rowland Director — Joshua Dyer Executive Secretary — Patti Schiefer Naturalists — Lisa Bogard, Abby Ditomassi, Warren Uxley Program Asst. — Joy Etter-Link Receptionists — Mandi Fruth, Patti Gervais Maintenance — Mike Fruth

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 10

Crawford Park District Abbreviated Calendar Park/Program Location Key:

LVP (Lowe-Volk Park); UP (Unger Park); HNP (Heckert Nature Preserve); SW (Sears Woods); DS (Daughmer Savannah; FW (Fox Winery); WS (Wynford School)

Trails Newsletter

Date Program/Event Time Park

Thurs. Mar. 5 Homeschool: Plain Sight 9:30, 11am & 2pm LVP

Sat. Mar. 7 Arrowhead Day 10am-2pm LVP

Sun. Mar. 8 Movie in the Park 2:00pm LVP

Mon. Mar. 9 Nature Story Time 10:30am LVP

Wed. Mar. 11 Wild Wednesday 10:00am LVP

Thurs. Mar. 12 Bee Kind: Mason Bees 6:00pm LVP

Mar. 14-Apr. 9 Photo Exhibit: Jan Maddy 12:00pm LVP

Sat. Mar. 14 Recycling 9:00am-Noon LVP


Sat. Mar. 21 Vernal Pool Exploration 10:00am HNP

Sun. Mar. 22 Berea Sandstone 2:00pm LVP


Sat. Mar. 28 Viewing the Night Sky 8:00pm LVP


Tues. Mar. 31 Book Club 5:30pm LVP

Tues. Mar. 31 Ohio’s Ancient Fossils 6:30pm LVP

Thurs. Apr. 2 Homeschool: Track the Tracks 9:30, 11am & 2pm LVP

Thurs. Apr. 2 Ohio’s Ancient Fossils 6:30pm LVP

Sun. Apr. 5 Hi-Tech Egg Hunt 1-3pm LVP

Mon. Apr. 6 Nature Story Time 10:30am LVP

Mon. Apr. 6 Saving an Eagle 6:30pm LVP

Tues. Apr. 7 Rock Tumbling: Part 1 6:30pm LVP

Wed. Apr. 8 Wild Wednesday 10:00am LVP

Sat. Apr. 11 Recycling 9:00am-Noon LVP

Sat. Apr. 11 Rock’n Fossil Day 11am-2pm LVP

Sun. Apr. 12 Spring Wildflowers 3:00pm SW



Thurs. Apr. 16 April Showers 6:00pm LVP

Fri. Apr. 17 Wildflower Walk 10:00am HNP

Fri. Apr. 17 Uncorked: What’s That Smell? 6:00pm FW

Sat. Apr. 18 Artifact Hunt 10:00am LVP

Sat. Apr. 18 Earth Day Fair 11am-2pm LVP



Wed. Apr. 22 Wild Wednesday 10:00am LVP

Sat. Apr. 25 Infant Explorers: Water 1-3pm LVP

Sat. Apr. 25 Viewing the Night Sky 8:30pm LVP

Sun. Apr. 26 The Pawpaw 3:00pm WS


Tues. Apr. 28 Book Club 5:30pm LVP


Thurs. Apr. 30 ODNR K-9 Demonstration 6:00pm LVP

Thurs. May 7 Mason Jar Bouquet 6:00pm LVP

Sat. May 9 Bird Banding 7am-1pm LVP

Sat. May 9 Pancakes in the Park 8am-1pm LVP

Sat. May 9 Recycling 9:00am-Noon LVP

Sun. May 10 Bird Walk 9:00am SW

Sun. May 17 Feeding Day 2:00pm LVP

Sat. May 23 Infant Explorers: Flowers 1-3pm LVP

Sat. May 23 Viewing the Night Sky 9:00pm LVP

Tues. May 26 Book Club 5:30pm LVP

Sat. May 30 Viewing the Night Sky 9:00pm LVP

Sun. May 31 Nature Hike 3:00pm DS

June 5-7 Living History Days See website LVP

Newsletter of the Crawford Park District Spring 2020

Documents

Transcript of Newsletter of the Crawford Park District Spring 2020