ONGOING

• Packer Historical Center, 112 W. Main St., Anna, is open Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

• Martial arts classes teaching karate and jujitsu will be held for children aged 6 through adults at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA. Classes will be held on Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. for beginners at a cost of $22 for members and $40 for non-members for four classes. Advanced classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. and cost $44 for members and $80 for non-members for four classes. All classes are taught by Sensei David Smith, in partnership with Jukido-Kai School-Martial Arts.

• Kinetics classes are available at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and include: Mommy & Me (parent & child, ages 10 to 24 months); Pre-School Gymnastics (ages 2 to 5); Youth Gymnastics (ages 6+); Pre-Team Gymnastics; Acrobatic Gymnastics; Cheerleading classes; Tumbling classes; and Competitive Gymnastics Team. For days, times and cost, visit www.sidney-ymca.org.

• Aquatics classes are available at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and include: Water Discovery/Exploration (parent & child, ages 6 months to 3 years); Preschool Swim Lessons (ages 3 to 6; swimmers in levels 1 through 3 must have a parent or adult in the water with the child); Youth Swim Lessons (ages 6+); Competitive Swim Team (Y Stingrays); Adult Swim Lessons (by appointment only); and Private & Semi-private Lessons available. For days, times and cost, visit www.sidney-ymca.org.

• Home-school Nature Club at the Brukner Nature Center Staff naturalists have developed hands-on educational lesson plans using live wildlife and outdoor exploration. The club is for home-schooled students aged 5-11 and costs $5/child each month for BNC members and $8/child each month for non-members. The Home-school Nature Club will meet on the third Wednesday of each month starting Sept. 21 and through May. Pre-registration is required and can be done via phone by calling 937-698-6493 Monday through Friday or by emailing [email protected]. Parents may register and pay for one month or several at a time. All fees are non-refundable.

• The Brukner Nature Center invites you to come enjoy their Winter Art Exhibit featuring the artwork of Maria Burke. Burke is a Hocking Hills based artist, who pulls her inspiration from Ohio’s native wildlife. Her unique gouache paintings on black paper, and lifelike museum-quality sculptures, recreate Ohio’s plants, animals and environments that are often underappreciated. Burke’s goal is to foster a curiosity and appreciation for the nature we find in our own backyards and beyond. She will also have a selection of giclee prints, magnets, vinyl stickers, postcards and woven throws in the Nature Shop at BNC. A portion of all sales will support BNC’s mission of wildlife conservation. Burke’s art will be on exhibit through March 19, 2023.

• Richard Wagar has created “Pallet Art Candle Plaques” that are hand-crafted wood plaques incorporating materials found in nature, including stones, tree bark and leaves. Each plaque pays tribute to the natural items that surround us in rivers, forests and other wild places. Used and discarded pallets are repurposed in the making of some of the plaques, while others incorporate stained Alder wood harvested responsibly in the western U.S. Each plaque includes a faux stoneware jar containing a votive made from Florida beeswax. Wagar’s hope is that these candles will shine a light upon the intrinsic beauty of some of those natural treasures that are a part of the world around us. Prices range from $15 – $25, BNC members receive a discount. Pallet Art Candle Plaques are available through the month of February with a percentage of all sales being donated back to Brukner Nature Center.

• Children in grades Kindergarten through fourth grade may register for the Brukner Nature Center’s Winter Night Adventure on Friday, Feb. 24 from 7 – 9 p.m. (please note: this is a drop-off program.) Have you ever wondered how certain animals survive the frigid winter temperatures here in Ohio? Then join BNC for a fun and educational evening this February. Through live wildlife encounters and hands-on games, we’ll discover some cold weather adaptations of local wildlife. Remember to dress for the weather as guests will be spending a large amount of time outside. Program fee is $20/child for BNC Members and $30/child for nonmembers (cash or check preferred). Registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 22, by 5 p.m. Call 937-698-6493 or e-mail [email protected] to register. Scout packs/troops are also invited to pre-register for this public program. Please call for scout pricing for your pack/troop (minimum of 6 scouts must attend in order to be placed in one group with your leader).

• Register your 12–17 year-old home-schooled student for an afternoon of discovery at Brukner Nature Center’s River’s Edge Wildlife Preserve by calling 937-698-6493 or emailing [email protected]. Staff naturalists have developed hands-on educational lesson plans using outdoor exploration. Topic will be “Wild Winter Homes” on Monday, March 6 from 2 – 4 p.m. The cold wind and snow of winter often forces wildlife to take extreme measures to survive. Some animals are able to develop large layers of fat to help hold warmth within their bodies. Others need to find or build a place to escape the brutal weather in order to survive. Did you know that box turtles will bury themselves underground and hibernate throughout the coldest stretches of winter? Join us at our River’s Edge property in search of native Ohio animals and attempt to discover how their adaptations and ability to find or create warm homes help them survive until spring. Cost is $5/child for BNC members or $8/child for non-members. Deadline to register and pay is Friday, March 3, by 5 p.m., cash or check preferred.

SATURDAY, FEB. 25

• Brukner Nature Center’s Young Birder’s Club, geared just for students in fifth through 12th grade who are members of Brukner Nature Center and have an interest in birding may join BNC on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 – 11 a.m. Most of the birds the club currently sees are those winter residents that have been here already for a few months. Through the Great Backyard Bird Count and FeederWatch Projects the center can help keep track of these populations and join in a global effort to count as many birds as possible. Data from all over the world can then be combined to give a snapshot of local and international bird populations. BNC will do a mock count of the birds found at BNC as they strive to help increase the understanding of bird populations around the world. Email [email protected] for more information.